The Orange Foundation Mali’s health and education initiatives were celebrated on 24 October on Solidarity Day, attended by the Minister for Solidarity and Humanitarian Action, the Chair of the Orange Mali board, the director of the Orange Foundation Mali, and Orange partners and personnel.
Maternal and infant healthcare
A collection of donations was organised, to distribute healthcare equipment to health centres for women and children. A paediatric department will be provided with the latest equipment: incubator, saturometer, syringe pump, etc.. A free eyesight and skin screening initiative was provided to 2000 school children in Diago.
Autonomy for women
The Foundation also donated agricultural equipment for women.
Mrs Mariam Sidibe, President of the DIAMAKO Women’s Association of Koumantou in the Sikasso region reports "the donation of the huller will enable us to continue to develop our agricultural activity, it’s a priceless gift".
Schoolchildren from Mali in a digital challenge
The Mali Wikichallenge African Schools was launched at the event. In Mali the competition, organised by Wikipedia and the Orange Foundation, is for pupils aged 9 to 11 at the Orange Foundation Digital Schools. It involves the children creating material about their local and cultural life, which will be accessible to everyone online. A good way to learn how to write an encyclopaedia entry, to get to grips with digital educational tools... as well as highlighting one’s local culture! Schoolchildren in Guinea, Madagascar and Tunisia are also taking part in the challenge.
The Orange Foundation Mali has for several years been committed to working in healthcare and education in support of disadvantaged populations. The Orange Foundation international programmes are deployed in the country: Digital Schools, Digital Centres, Orange Villages, etc.. This Solidarity Day was able to present both the results and progress already achieved, and the longer term value of the ongoing health and education projects.
