Scholarships
MFM has provided a scholarship to the top male and female student of their class to go the high school in Bamako, the capital. The scholarships cover lodging, supplies, transportation, and meals. Without these scholarships, it would be very difficult for these top students to pay the expenses of going to school in the capital. These scholarships serve as an incentive for others to work hard to gain a scholarship and thus improve their life and the lives of their families, present and future. These scholarship winners are the future of Mali.
Tutoring for Girls in School
We did notice that as the students get older in school, fewer and fewer are female. In order to increase the number of girls in school, MFM provides weekly tutoring to the girls and boys in 4 villages. However, the emphasis is on the girls. The teachers provide extra class time in French, math, Physics/chemistry, and English. We have seen an increase in the number of girls in school.
Incentives for top test performers at school
Small gifts are given to the top female performers at the school. Community members relate that these incentives were very important as incentives for girls to do well on tests.
Bi-lingual classes
A school in Kati, IEP Institute d’Education Populaire, is partnering with one school in our area to teach beginning readers to read in the native Bambara. Teacher training and books to read are provided. Another school in our area is serving as a control group.