Children in Plan Mali's ECCD centres learn about safe hygiene and sanitation

Kita Cercle*

Area: 35,250 sq. km
Population: 315,520
Current areas of operation: 13 communes/67 villages
Sponsored children: Around 7,600

The Kita Cercle is located in the Kayes region. The population, mainly composed of Malinké, Fulani and Soninké ethnic groups, suffers from a precarious economic situation due to the erratic climate and poor soil. As a result, average household income is low. There is little room to cope with unexpected problems with health, education and access to drinking water. Children are often the first victims of such problems - the infant and juvenile mortality rate in Kita is well above the national average.

Plan works in partnership with local organisations, government technical services and other non-governmental organisations to implement programmes

Programme highlights

Early childhood care and development (ECCD)

Plan Mali is increasing parents’ awareness on the importance of early childhood care and education by  training and supporting ECCD centre managaement committees and helping all children that go to ECCD centres get birth certificates. We also support the construction of ECCD centres, train teachers and provide equipment and toys. 

In the centres, children learn good hygiene and sanitation practices, such as washing hands in order to reduce diseases. The success rate of children in the primary school exams from the centres at primary school is 94.4% against an average of 75% for Kita cercle.

Safe drinking water

The lack of water and its poor quality is a big problem for the population of Kita. The women spend half of their time fetching water and therefore aren’t able to properly take care of their families or undertake income-generating activities. Poor water quality also puts children at risk of death from waterborne diseases.

Plan has now equipped 6 villages with a water supply system called ’Pedaflo’ which has increased access to safe drinking water to 75% in 2009, freeing up women’s time. Also, the number of children suffering from waterborne diseases has significantly declined. 

Women's gardening

Gardening is traditionally practiced by women in Kita since it is one of their main sources of income. Unfortunately, their work has a very low yield due to a lack of proper tools and gardening knowledge.

Plan Mali supports women’s groups in 8 villages by helping them to acquire new skills and agricultural tools to improve their produce. They are also trained on conservation agriculture in order to reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals which pollute the waters.

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