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Teaching Fatimata

In the African country of Mali, more than 67% of women are illiterate and do not have access to quality education. The few schools that are established have increasingly low enrollment rates due to lack of infrastructure and qualified teachers.

In Fatimata’s home village of Missimmi, there are no schools for her to attend. The closest school is over six miles away. To get her education, nine-year-old Fatimata lives at Islamic Relief’s Child Friendly Village in Oulessebougu, Mali, where she attends school and learns a variety of subjects including Math and French.

“I like living in this village better because here I can go to school. It’s better to live where the school is,” said Fatimata.

Islamic Relief established the Child Friendly Village in 2007 to help increase the standard of living for local communities by providing health care, access to basic education, and involving children in the decision making-process. The Child Friendly Village has so far helped over 45,600 people.

The school is built close to the center of the village so young girls like Fatimata can attend regular classes for free without having to walk long distances to get there. Fatimata’s school currently has 160 students, 4 teachers and is complete with classrooms, books, desks and restroom facilities.

“My favorite subject is math. One day, I’d like to become a teacher,” said Fatimata.

Were it not for the generosity and commitment of our donors, young girls like Fatimata might never have the opportunity to obtain a quality education and break free from a devastating cycle of poverty.