Children in the new preschool have access to clean water for hygiene practises and drinking

The youngest of 4 children, Tora, aged 3, is much luckier than his parents and siblings who have never had the chance to study at school. Schooling opportunities in the village of Niaganabougou in Mali are limited and this prevents children from having regular access to a decent education. This is common throughout West Africa, and Plan works hard to provide universal education for all children.

For the past month, Tora and 70 other children of the same age in the community have been given the chance to learn in a new pre-school which has been supported by Plan in partnership with the Korean Development Agency.

The affects of no education

In the rural area of Niaganabougou, there are very little if any educational or care opportunities for children. Children often roam the streets looking for things to do, and parents can not afford to provide medical care for their children if they get sick.

The villagers recognise the impact that this lack of education is having on their children and on their acquiring basic life skills. There are frequent cases of sickness including diarrhoea and malaria, which often have fatal consequences. More than 50% of these children do not have a registered birth certificate, meaning that they are unable to fully access the rights to which they are entitled.

Community leader Yacouba Keita says: “Our wives are busy with various activities to provide for the family and cannot ensure the safety of their children and look after them. In the centre, the instructors take good care of them.”

The centre

The new pre-school, which includes a shop and toilets, has left many other parents hoping to enrol their children. The parents of the children already in attendance are grateful for the services that the school provides. Tora’s mother, Aminata, says: “All the mothers in the village are very happy with the school, especially the regular medical visits for our children, the food provided to them and the hygiene games and lessons they learn like hand washing.”
Keeping the pre-school in a good condition means that education and support can be provided for children for a long time to come. The people of the community see it as the key to the future of their community’s success in the fight against child poverty.

Thanks to Plan

The village chief has personally expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Plan and the Korean Development Agency for their hard work and support. Plan continues to work with partners to provide universal quality education to all children not just in Mali, but throughout West Africa too.