YETAM is giving young people the tools they need to speak out and defend their rights

Kati Cercle*

Area: 22,500 sq. km
Population: 746,192
Current areas of operation: 11 communes and 90 villages
Sponsored children : Around 7,700

Kati's population is relatively young and is composed of ethnic groups such as Bambara, Malinké, Fulani, and Somono. The dominant economic activities are agriculture, livestock, fishing and small businesses.

The Kati Programme Unit was launched in 1986 and all operations are carried out in partnership with community organisations, technical services, local non-governmental organisations and children themselves.

Programme highlights

The fight against malnutrition

Plan Mali help set up an innovative approach called ‘positive deviance’ in 39 villages. Mothers with malnourished children join a culinary centre where they take part in cooking sessions. They prepare enriched foods for children with local products available within the community.

This approach, easily organised by the communities themselves, has widely contributed to the reduction of child malnutrition - a major cause of infant mortality. In one year (2008-2009), malnutrition declined by 32% thanks to the project.

School canteens

Poor access to schools causes many children to drop out. Most of them walk long distances from neighbouring villages to go to school and they make the journey 4 times a day. They rarely have time to eat and to rest at home. The fatigue and hunger significantly reduces their concentration levels and ability to participate in class. Poor academic performances, repetition and high drop out rates result.

Plan Mali’s school canteens programme offers food for 1,229 students at school. They have the opportunity to eat and to rest instead of walking back home at noon. The associations of parents and school management committees warmly welcomed the programme and are working hard with Plan to ensure its sustainability.

Over the last year, school attendance has reached 79.6% and the rate of academic success has reached 85% with the help of the programme.

Youth Empowerment Through Arts and Media (YETAM)

YETAM is a capacity building project by Plan and Nokia which provides young people with the tools and skills they need to speak out and take part in decisions that affect their lives.

The YETAM programme has involved 57 girls and boys, aged 12-18 years from the village of Dialakoroba, where they have raised a great deal of support for defending children’s rights.

So far the children have reported on issues including forced marriage, violence in schools, girls’ school enrolment and road accidents. Thanks to their efforts, all of Dialakoroba’s community leaders have now developed a plan to support children’s participation, survival and development.

Find out more by visiting YETAM's YouTube channel

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