We are thrilled to report that both the training phases of Soroptimist International Foundation project, in partnership with Soroptimist International (SI) Club Lumière, Bamako in Mali, West Africa, have successfully concluded. All 100 women taking part passed the tests in literary skills in the Bambara language, food production techniques and entrepreneurial and cooperative management. Training also incorporated raising awareness about the various forms of violence against women and girls, so they can become more empowered.
On 14 September a ceremony was held in Bamako, to officially present the women with their training certificates and the equipment and kits they will need to go forward in establishing their co-operatives, with ongoing support from SI Club Lumière for the next three months. The event was broadcast on television and radio channels in Mali and also appeared in independent national newspapers.
The ceremony was attended by several local dignitaries including Moussa Mara (former Prime Minister),Tara Ly Dravé, (former Minister of Fisheries and Water), Mrs. N’douré Kadiatou Sanogo (Representative of the Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children and the Family), Mrs Bocoum (National Director for the Promotion of Women), the Mayor Commune V and the Neighbourhood Chief. Mrs. N’douré Kadiatou Sanogo emphasised her gratitude to Soroptimist International Foundation and all the dignitaries expressed their appreciation of the project. Fatimata Tambadou, a member of the SI Board of Directors also attended and expressed her delight at the success of the training.
Watch a video of television coverage of the event – from Joliba TV News
View coverage of the event – from Cherila TV
The president of SI Club Lumière Bamako presented the project and its impact which is enabling 100 displaced women to bring their newly acquired knowledge and skills to the economy. The installation of displaced women with kits equips them to continue their training and become independent. The kits consist of multi-faceted machines that can grind cereals such as millet, corn and other food stuffs including peanuts into paste, dryer machines for fonio grain, dried fruits, juicing machines and smokehouses for smoking fish and meat.
The final stage will see the women being installed in six sites in Bamako and four sites in Koulikoro, splitting the women into groups. Spaces are rented in each site for three months to accommodate the groups of women as they work together as co-operatives.
Funding for this project was made possible by a generous donation of $100,000 from SI Taiwan to Soroptimist International Foundation specifically to support Education of Women from or in War Torn countries. The project in Mali embraces the three key areas at the heart of Soroptimist International Foundation’s vision and mission to Educate, Empower and Enable women and girls in all their diversity. SI Club Lumière collaborated with the management of the Sabalibougou Women’s House in the Bamako District and the Koulikoro Women’s House to identify the 100 displaced women who participated in the project.
Further information:
Soroptimist International Foundation is a Charitable Trust overseen by SI (Soroptimist International) Limited. Soroptimist International Foundation is currently managing legacies, Educating Women from War Torn Countries fund and the final projects of ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future’ Appeal.
Donations to Soroptimist International Foundation, including the Educating War Torn Countries fund are gratefully received. ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future’ Appeal is now closed to donation.
For further information or to make enquires regarding legacies, please email hq@soroptimistinternational.org