HEARTBREAK in Mali
It is with much sadness that I am bringing you this update about the current situation in Bamako, Mali and how it is impacting our programs. For the past 8 years ATEG has been running programs to improve the lives of women and children who fled terrorism in Central Mali. They came to Bamako, which is in Southern Mali. Many settled on an active garbage dump called the Faladje IDP Camp (Internally Displaced Persons). This was the primary camp in which ATEG has been focused on improving the lives of vulnerable women and children. Over the years we have run programs for Women’s Skills Training, Childhood Education, Food Distribution and provided Healthcare.
When jihadists attacked the Bamako airport and military barracks, the authorities claimed that they had been hiding weapons in the IDP camps. Consequently, they bulldozed the camps. Without preparation the IDPs were forced to leave. Most of their meager belongings were destroyed by the bulldozers. Some are currently living in Bamako with relatives; some are living in abandoned housing. Most are on the streets, living in open spaces and begging for tarps to shelter them as they go through their rainy season. They are vulnerable to flooding and waterborne diseases.
So how does this impact the women and children who were beneficiaries of the ATEG programs? Although our beneficiaries are scattered around the city, we are currently operating at the offices of our partner in Bamako, ADICOM. They have remained in contact with most of them and are continuing food distribution from their office. The facility that ATEG built at Faladje to serve as a workplace for the women’s coop has been destroyed and the women have no place to continue their businesses. They have asked ATEG for help in providing a new facility. ATEG feels that a first step to helping these women bring some normalcy to their lives and restore their dignity is to provide a facility for them to work in.
Fortunately, before the old facility was destroyed, we were able to save the sewing machines and much of the equipment and supplies. So, the initial step is to secure a new workplace. The building will include a store for selling the women’s goods and services. The facility will also offer skills training for additional displaced women. We also plan to add on a day-care center to allow women to bring their children to work. While at the facility, we expect the children to receive basic pre-school education. We also plan to provide tarp shelters to the most vulnerable: elderly, disabled and families with infants and young children. They are in their rainy season so there is great urgency for an immediate response in providing them with protection against the elements. This is an ambitious plan with a budget of $50,000.00.
These women and children have experienced more suffering than any person should ever know. The emotional toll on them has been enormous. ATEG has worked with these people for 8 years and we will not abandon them. With your help we can remind them that there are still kind folks in the U.S. who care about their brothers and sisters around the world.
Donations can be sent to:
Arts To End Genocide,
1620 Old Cherry Point Road, #3621,
New Bern, NC 28564.
When jihadists attacked the Bamako airport and military barracks, the authorities claimed that they had been hiding weapons in the IDP camps. Consequently, they bulldozed the camps. Without preparation the IDPs were forced to leave. Most of their meager belongings were destroyed by the bulldozers. Some are currently living in Bamako with relatives; some are living in abandoned housing. Most are on the streets, living in open spaces and begging for tarps to shelter them as they go through their rainy season. They are vulnerable to flooding and waterborne diseases.
So how does this impact the women and children who were beneficiaries of the ATEG programs? Although our beneficiaries are scattered around the city, we are currently operating at the offices of our partner in Bamako, ADICOM. They have remained in contact with most of them and are continuing food distribution from their office. The facility that ATEG built at Faladje to serve as a workplace for the women’s coop has been destroyed and the women have no place to continue their businesses. They have asked ATEG for help in providing a new facility. ATEG feels that a first step to helping these women bring some normalcy to their lives and restore their dignity is to provide a facility for them to work in.
Fortunately, before the old facility was destroyed, we were able to save the sewing machines and much of the equipment and supplies. So, the initial step is to secure a new workplace. The building will include a store for selling the women’s goods and services. The facility will also offer skills training for additional displaced women. We also plan to add on a day-care center to allow women to bring their children to work. While at the facility, we expect the children to receive basic pre-school education. We also plan to provide tarp shelters to the most vulnerable: elderly, disabled and families with infants and young children. They are in their rainy season so there is great urgency for an immediate response in providing them with protection against the elements. This is an ambitious plan with a budget of $50,000.00.
These women and children have experienced more suffering than any person should ever know. The emotional toll on them has been enormous. ATEG has worked with these people for 8 years and we will not abandon them. With your help we can remind them that there are still kind folks in the U.S. who care about their brothers and sisters around the world.
Donations can be sent to:
Arts To End Genocide,
1620 Old Cherry Point Road, #3621,
New Bern, NC 28564.