One of Barouéli's early childhood care and development centres

Barouéli Cercle*

Area : 4,714 sq. km
Population: 209,161
Current areas of operation: 4 out of 11 communes/67 out of 231 villages
Sponsored children: Around 7,800

The Cercle of Barouéli is situated in the north-western part of Segou region. The population is mostly composed of Bambara and Soninké ethnic groups and they make their living from agriculture, cattle breeding and small trading. However, due to the infertile soil and low rainfall, agricultural production is low.

The programme unit, established in 2005, operates in the Barouéli, Konobougou, Kalakè and Sanando communes, and key interventions  include: the fight against malnutrition, safe drinking water, child survival, early childhood care and development, child protection and participation, and microfinance. 

Programme highlights

Fighting malnutrition

One of the reasons behind the high infant mortality rates in Mali is malnutrition. Plan Mali works with communities in 20 villages to initiate a new approach called ‘positive deviance’ to fight malnutrition. The women are trained to identify malnourished children and organise cooking sessions for them. The prepared foods use only local produce rich in protein and other vitamins.

Child survival

In partnership with local health centres, Plan Mali trains local health practitioners and mothers on the integrated health care of children: antenatal care, immunisations and the use of mosquito nets to prevent the spread of malaria. We also provide mosquito nets to children aged 0-5 years and pregnant women.

Child protection and participation

Plan Mali sets up and strengthens child protection committees, promotes birth registration, supports the fight against female genital cutting - a harmful traditional practice, and carries out awareness raising and response activities on HIV and AIDS. We also help children to produce a radio programme called ‘Kids’ waves’ which allows them to speak out on issues that affect them and advocate for child rights. 

Microfinance for women

This programme trains women groups so that they can manage small savings and loans schemes. They conduct weekly meetings, collect and manage savings and credit grants and promote the creation of more groups. Women can get loans to undertake income generating activities.

The profits help to meet the needs of their children and family. The group meetings serve not only to collect contributions, but also to strengthen friendships and build awareness of health problems like malaria, HIV and AIDS, and female genital cutting.

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*In Mali, a 'Cercle' is an administrative subdivision.