The school at the Zorokoro Children’s Complex has finally opened!

The school at the Zorokoro Children’s Complex has finally opened! This accomplishment was able to occur amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, making this milestone even more exciting and impressive. The first three classrooms have opened, and kindergarten class has begun for children ages 3-5 years old.

Here’s our kindergarteners taking the classroom outside for some active learning!

ACFA is especially grateful to our friends from Bahrain who contributed the funds to build these first three classrooms, and the school is appropriately named for the parents of our donor.  We are also thankful for the grant we received from the United Nations Women’s Guild in Vienna, Austria which enabled us to purchase all the supplies for the school including desks, chairs, books, coloring books, arithmetic puzzles, water painting materials, and more.

The school is our first step towards enriching not only ACFA children’s academic and personal lives, but also the lives of people from the villages surrounding Zorokoro. The school is open to children from these villages and will provide education for those who might not otherwise have that opportunity. This will create a positive cycle of change, an increased literacy rate, lower poverty, and improved infrastructure and quality of life.

On our first day, we welcomed students at 7am surrounded by many happy parents giving their blessings to the school and their children.  All present participated in singing the National Anthem and Mali motto.  The children begin their day in kindergarten with activities such as mathematical concepts, storytelling, arts, and more.  In addition to their schoolwork, the children have time in the day for breaks, snacks, and naps, leading to happy and healthy children who are excited to learn.

The children have adjusted well to their new school life and are enjoying learning.  

We are grateful to the ACFA Mali staff.  Special thanks to Maïmouna and Nieba, Mariam and Dramane who continue to support the success of the ACFA students. Additionally, we appreciate and thank all of our donors for their generous contributions that have allowed us to help so many young children in Mali.

Though this is an important milestone for our organization, it is just the beginning, and we cannot wait to welcome more students of all ages from both ACFA and the surrounding villages. As we look towards positive systematic change in the region through increased education, healthcare, and social development through sports and other activities, we continue to need your help. Can we count on you to contribute a monthly donation to help us finish building our facilities and welcoming more vulnerable children into our ACFA family?