Aiding Change in Mali (Part II)
Saturday, July 26th, 2008
Posted by Dario Meli
* This blog post is part of Invoke’s participation in the 2008 Vancouver Blogathon for Charity
Up early in the morning, quick breakfast, then its off to the truck for a 2.5 hour drive, much of which is over dirt roads.
When we arrive in N’Gouraba they entire village is out to greet us. We are early even, but they are waiting diligently. The road is completely lined with people of all ages and the Hunters greet us with music and strange dancing. I say strange because it is totally random free-form movement and they’re snickering and joking around with one another.
Once we run the gauntlet of cheering villagers we sit with the mayor, tribal elders, and a host of spectators as we are presented with gifts. KC is overwhelmed as they present him with one thing after another including the honorary position as head of the Farmers. This is a tremendous honor and because you can’t be the head of the Farmers without any land and he is promptly presented with a deed for 1 hectare of land! Wow!
Now it is time to meet with the leaders of each group: city hall, medicine, education, the womens group, and the farmers. They were super organized and very proud to report on all the successes they are enjoying, always noting that there is still much to be done. Note taken and we are on it! After a full, exhausting day of presentation after presentation in 38º heat we are pretty spent and head back to the city.
Some of what we’ve done to-date: built a medical clinic, stocked it with medicine, fitted it and the school with a solar powered energy system, filled the school with textbooks, purchased seed, fertilizer, and farming equipment for 100 farmers.
Many these initiatives include a repayable portion which is pooled into a community fund. This encourages the community to work together and help each other develop the economy. When we met with leaders from each area of the village, they all operated in the black. There were no cost over-runs. Responsible government and leadership is very much present in N’Grouraba.
You can see more of my pictures in this public Facebook album. And if you have any questions or comments on what we are doing I would love to hear from you so please dont hesitate to contact me.
