As part of my job at Mali Rising, I have the pleasure of helping to identify, select, and track our Inspiration Scholars. These young people are especially outstanding Mali Rising graduates who receive scholarships to continue their education. I just love hearing their stories when I check in on their progress so I wanted to share one such story with our supporters. This is what Awa told me in her own words:

Creating and wearing beautiful clothes is a passion that crosses the boundaries of every country. No matter where you go, you’ll find people who turn clothing into an art form with their sewing skill. Mali Rising Foundation alum Djeneba Samake is one such young woman with a passion for sewing that, with te help of Mali Rising’s donors, she is now turning into a career.

It is sad to see here in Mali, but all to often early (or even child) marriage prevents many girls from continuing their education. However, times are changing in Mali. Some families wait longer for marriage, and even when marriage does occur it doesn’t always have to mean that a young women’s education is over. An example of this change comes from Salimata Sissao, a Mali Rising alumni. Here is her story in her own words…

Tenetie Sinayogo, an alumni of Denik Middle School in Zambougou, is a Mali Rising Inspiration Scholar. What does that mean for him? It means that thanks to our donors Tenetie is continuing his education and is already earning money to build a better life.

This fall, Awa L. Toure received an Inspiration Scholarship from the Mali Rising Foundation. These scholarships are designed to help our most outstanding students continue their education and build independent, bright futures for themselves. Awa is already on the road to her dream future at tailor school!

Can $500 change someone’s life completely? You bet it can! One kind donor’s Strong Woman Scholarship (part of our Inspiration Scholars Project) changed Fatoumata’s life forever.

One of the most inspiring things we see at Mali Rising is a student who takes their education and turns it into a way to help others. We see this time and again, but in no case is it clearer than with our nursing scholarship recipients.

Djeneba Samake is very ambitious and always dreams big. She graduated in 2019 from Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Learn for Life Academy. Since she was in the middle school, Djeneba dreamed of becoming a tailor, but she wondered how she could achieve this as she comes from a very poor family. Luckily, after graduation Mali Rising donors granted Djeneba an Inspiration Scholarship. This scholarship allowed her to enroll in the Centre Ahawani in Ouelessebougou, a three-year professional tailor program

When Mali Rising’s donors sponsor a scholarship, they really do change lives. It is a cliché, but a $500 donation to one of our graduates can turn dreams into reality for a hard working student. Take the case of Mariam Sylla as a case in point.