Celebrating Six Months in Mali!
The Decker Foundation reached an exciting milestone last April when we opened our first Higher Learning Center in Bamako, Mali, with just ten eager learners. Six months later, that number has grown to forty-three—and we expect that growth to continue.
Why Mali?
Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a young population and significant barriers to education and economic opportunity. Our goal in opening the center was to help remove some of those barriers so learners could eventually access online college opportunities through
BYU–Pathway Worldwide.
Accessible Education
Through our partnership with the Mali Wellness Foundation, we were able to begin operating in the country almost immediately.
With the help of generous donors, our learners receive English instruction, access to computers and the internet, a meal, scholarships, and a transportation stipend—all designed to make continuing their education possible.
Six Months of Progress
In just six months, the progress has been remarkable.
Five learners are currently enrolled in Pathway Connect 101, the course that prepares them to begin their college studies. Ten more are nearing completion of their final English course before entering Pathway Connect 101, while
twenty-eight learners are working through their first English course.
Behind each of those numbers is a person working toward a better future. Access to higher education can help learners provide more opportunities for their families, improve their standard of living, and qualify for online employment that may otherwise be out of reach.
We are so grateful to everyone who is helping make this possible.