Moving Mali Forward

The long grueling month of Ramadan came to an end on Tuesday, August 30^th. Long and grueling for all the Malians around me, that is. While I did not undergo any grueling fasting, nothing could keep me or the kids from the festivities. Voices sounding “I sambe sambe” and blessings became a familiar thing to hear as the day progressed. “I sambe sambe” is the Malian equivalent of the Muslims saying “Eid Mubarak”. It was
interesting to compare this experience with the familiar experience of having lived in Bahrain (another Muslim country as well). In Bahrain, there was more seclusion and so I did not have the opportunity to observe the cultural aspects of the end of Ramadan. Ramadan itself was so pronounced as no one could eat or drink in public. The only thing I remember about the celebration was the relief that stores would now be open during normal times and the awesome food that our Muslim neighbors shared with us on this day.

Yeah, in his role as Mayor, took his deputy mayors to greet the Chief of the village and also the Imam. This is customary for the Mayor to do. We dressed the kids in new clothes that my Brother in law Bei had sent.Keanen was super excited. He wanted to put them on as soon as he saw them. Carmen on the other hand refused to do anything with a skirt. After much screaming and threatening, the skirt was on and stayed at least for half the day.

Yeah before he left warned me that as the day progressed I would experience a kind of Halloween. Not by way of the costumes but rather the lines of children that would come offering greetings and blessings in exchange for candy or money. I figured maybe four to ten kids may show up seeing as I am a Toubabou (white woman) who scares them easily. 🙂 To my surprise I was besieged by almost 50 kids. At first there was a trickle and then suddenly at one point 20 kids showed up at once. In unison they mumbled the greetings eagerly looking at the candy in my hand and waiting for me to part with it. As I started handing it out, the greetings only got louder and were said with eagerness in the hope that I would part with some more candy. A Costco bag of candies (you know how huge that bag is!!) that Yeah had fortunately brought with him was gone in a matter of 3 hours. Apart from making a few kids cry with the fairness of my looks, the morning was quite successful. Before I started handing candy out, I made sure my kids had their own little bags of candy because knowing my Carmen she literally would steal candy from a baby if she saw I was handing candy out. 🙂

My first victim. I would have picked him up, but I think he would have cried more

The kids soon got bored with this procession and attempted some old fashion fort building and reading to keep themselves occupied.

When Yeah returned, we took the kids to do some visiting with his family. It is amazing that the bustling village of Ouelessebougou literally came to a halt as families celebrated Eid within their compounds. The streets were silent and clean. Everyone had on their very best. This was the day most ladies were waiting for all month long. It was an occasion not only to celebrate their month long devotion to Allah but also to put aside the chores
and mundane nature of the day and look dressed up. The food too was delicious. For the feast, a goat was killed and cooked. The meat was put on a skewer and roasted over an open fire. Let’s just say the kids and I got enough protein to last us a week. Carmen devoured the sticks of meat like there was no tomorrow. Keanen ate them purely so he could have sticks to play with later. In the end I could hear him negotiating with Carmen because she had more sticks. 🙂

On the day before the Feast, as we drove through Bamako, we saw many lambs, goats and cows being killed or on their way to being killed. An average goat costs about $120 while a cow costs $350. Most Malians cannot
afford this hefty price that gets even heftier at Eid. So families will usually band together to buy a goat or cow. This year being an election year, more goats/cows were sold as Presidential candidates bought them for their campaign leaders in the various electorates. Yeah’s leaders in Ouelessebougou got one cow to share among their families. That one cow was divided for the 20 leaders there.

It is also common on this day for blessings to be given and received. Blessings consist of: Si tigi Allah
(May God give you a long life), kɛnɛya tigi Allah (May you have great health), wariba tigi Allah (God give you a lots of money), muso tigi Allah (may God bless your wife), den tigi Allah (May your children be blessed)
etc. Mali, for all its troubles, has a people who are God fearing. This day is no different for them as Malians impart blessings of prosperity and happiness to their loved ones and strangers. They train even their youngsters to say these blessings, hoping with time, an understanding will come.

The next day, a holiday also, Yeah hosted a breakfast for some of his other party supporters that had not received the meat. There were about 30 people in our compound sharing a cow’s head (yes you heard me right). This is considered a delicacy here in Mali and one that I will gladly pass on.

The meeting gave Yeah’s party leaders a chance to reconvene after Yeah’s month long absence and also an opportunity for Yeah to refocus on strengthening relations. Many of these people I had not met before and so it was nice to see and greet them. A mayor never rests and for the rest of the day Yeah had meetings at his office and at the house.

The last two days spell the end of Ramadan. However it also pronounced the re-start of the campaign. As it starts, what will Yeah’s message be? A change needs to happen and it needs to happen now. As the current president steps out of office, the field remains wide open to many contenders. Many of Yeah’s competitors are fierce and have embezzled money for too long. Many have held positions of high office and yet no good has come from their position. What is needed is a change for the youth of Mali. There needs to be hope that the young people can hang onto. The battle is going to be long and hard. It’s a hard thing to swallow that money is the controller of the election, in that the person with money will be able to get the word out better. Yeah has a great chance if he can get the word out. He has picked up some awesome endorsements. The latest endorsement comes from the Vice President of the Constitutional Court of Mali. This last endorsement is huge as the court makes some of the most impactful political decisions in Mali and also that the endorsement is coming from a high-ranking individual who knows the time for honesty and integrity has come.

Let’s rally and spread the word. The time has come for Malians to be given a fair chance at ethical and honest governance and to move out of the spot of third poorest country.

And to all Muslims and non-Muslims, Malians and non-Malians, I wish: I sambe sambe. Kɛnɛya tigi Allah, Si tigi Allah and wariba tigi Allah.

The past week has been a flurry of activity as Yeah returned home. Yeah came home Friday June 26^th. It is also great to have him home. The kids are very excited. Carmen’s one wish of sitting on her dad’s neck
(literally!) came true. Keanen in his calm way was very happy too. He seems to be eating better now that his dad is home. Things seem to have settled down temporarily in the wake of Yeah’s return. Keanen starts school Sep 5^th at 7am!! I am excited but apprehensive. My little boy is growing up.

Yeah has been fortunate to find support in Utah and DC. He was able to focus his energies on campaigning hard during the month that he was there.  During the month of August, the holy month of Ramadan brings all campaign activities to a stop in Mali. The support in Utah is wonderful to see. There were very wonderful
individuals/families that hosted Yeah’s stay. Also there were other individuals that held events to raise money. It amazes me that people are willing to give so much of their time and talents to a foreign candidate. We are indeed blessed to have the support of Utahns.  I thank all the wonderful people who were vital to Yeah’s success this trip like Scott and Julie Dixon, Chris Johnson, the Valentiners, James and Shelby Arrington, Susan Escalante, Marilou Moser, the Illes, Robert Drinkall, Brad Stone, Doug Jardine, Ryan Martin, Wade Brown, Cameron Diehl, Kimile to name a few. Please forgive me if I missed a name. The work that is being done for Yeah would not be done if not for the kindness and belief in the cause at hand. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Or as we would say in Bambara, Ini ce.
Mali is in need of strong, principled leadership. Everyone is always saying that Africa is poor. That is a true statement to some degree. However how many people say that Africa is poor because of its leaders and the actions they have taken. Probably very few. Here is a chance to support someone who could make a difference.Support does not have to be financial. Word of mouth helps tremendously. I know I am likely to support something that my friend tells me about rather than an outside source. Help support this campaign. Affect the next generation of Malians. This is not about  a term of 5 years but rather about the changes that could affect the next 50 years of Malians.

As in other countries of the francophone world, the Malian educational system inherited most of its principles from the French colonial system. Fundamental education encompasses nine grades, divided into two cycles. Grades 1 through 6 make up the first cycle. In the sixth grade all the students sit for the C.E.P. which leads to the second cycle: Grades 7 through 9 (junior high school). In the last grade of the second cycle, the students take a nationwide exam called the Diplôme d’Etudes Fondamentale (D.E.F.) which leads to high school or vocational and technical school. Secondary education (senior high school) comprises Grade 10 through 12. All Grade 12 students sit for the baccalaureate exam (high school diploma) in biology, math/physics, human sciences, or language and literature. With the baccalaureate the students can enroll at the University of Mali or apply for universities abroad. The baccalaureate is a very selective examination for the students. Students who do not envision completing long-term study programs can enter two- to four years public/private technical and vocational schools, which are all recognized by the Ministry of Education. Two-year vocational and technical schools offer the Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnelle (CAP) and the four-year schools offer the Brevet de Technicien (BT).

Some Statistics from UNICEF:

UNICEF Mali Data

The data above is very interesting. It is easy to see the marked difference in the enrollment rates among males’ vs. females. It is also sad to see the major drop that goes from primary to secondary education. Still more interesting the data shows enrollment numbers higher than actual attendance numbers.

Education, in my opinion, is a significant key that separates the development and furthering of civilization. It is interesting when I talk with Malians about the way certain things are done or should be done. I have the opportunity in Ouelessebougou, Mali to mingle with educated Malians (like my brother-in-law Bei) and uneducated individuals. The way they approach life, in my opinion, is controlled largely by the education they have received. Malians will constantly tell me my kids are smarter than their kids. I listen to this statement in some amazement. Coming from a country like India, it is this kind of mentality that let the British rule India for as long as they did. When people who I meet tell me this, I am quick to correct them. It is not that children are smarter or dumber. Rather it is my belief that most kids have a decent mind when they are born. It is the instruments that develop these minds that have contributed to the vast gap.

One such instrument is the cycle of illiteracy. I count myself lucky that I had a mom that constantly made sure that my homework was done. There were days when she would come home tired from work and still make sure that my brother and I had finished our homework and were ready for any tests. This constancy when we were small kids prepped us to then take the reins of our fate into our own hands. By the time we were teenagers we could confidently manage our own homework and tests. It is so important for parents to be educated in this day and age. In Mali, however, it is difficult to institute such a practice. Difficult because most families in rural areas do not have a formal school. Difficult because in some villages past 6th grade, the next closest school is sometimes too far. Hard because responsibilities like farming the fields and a family’s crop become more pressing as they address the immediate need of food. It will be important for Yeah to focus on the current generation and show them the light of obtaining a good education. An education will allow them to implement new ideas not only in farming but other sectors. It will also make Malian business competitive in the global market.

Another issue that contributes is the quality of education. The public school system in Mali is pretty bad. It’s almost as if these small inquisitive minds are doomed to failure before they even start to learn. The system is rampaged by a lack of teachers. Teachers are not paid well in Mali. If you thought the teachers in America were paid badly, Malian teachers are worse off. There is no incentive for the teachers to teach their student well. This also contributes to a reduction of future teachers. Again yet another cycle that needs to be broken. A decent education is found in private schools that are sometimes expensive. For example the American school in Bamako charges $12000/year for a child in Kindergarten and $26000 from Grade 1-5. Even for a rich Malian, this is an exorbitant price almost making these schools exclusive to the rich. Yet another cycle that will continue either until the public education system improves or foreigners stop paying for these schools.

The education system in Mali definitely needs some serious revamping. It is the base on which success for future generations lie. Malians need to be encouraged to take a firmer stand in their government’s role in education. Students need to be encouraged to study and incentives need to be provided to those that complete a successful course. For example, do you think students would study harder in college if they were granted a job when they graduated? Do you think education givers would improve if teachers were paid better and pay increases were based on quality of education given and not tenure? These are just ideas. The time has come for the next President to revamp the education system and give young Malians the opportunity to stand firm among global competition. The sheet of darkness needs to be torn and this cycle needs to be broken.

Yeah has already started this through Mali Rising. Mali Rising was co-founded by Yeah. It has partnered with communities in Mali to build 15 schools to date, all in remote villages. These schools provide the opportunity for kids in rural areas to have a dream. It provides opportunities for young girls to not sit in the darkness of illiteracy.

The time for change has come. The time has come to break the vicious cycles that have gripped this great country. The time has come for Yeah to bring change that Mali desperately needs. Support the need for change. Support Mali so education becomes a norm and not a gift. Support Yeah.

I have come to have a new found respect for electricians everywhere and electricity in general. For the past four days, my electricity has gone on and off more times than I care to count. The first time it went off, it was 1 am in the
morning.  I didn’t think much of it. 30 minutes as I started to doze off, I hear blood curdling screams. I jumped out of bed as if completing a hurdle race. I think my kids were blessed with the best vocal cords God had to offer. Now I was awake completely and lay in pitch darkness listening to the sounds outside, jumping at every sound. My kids bravery or lack thereof definitely comes from me.

And so started a ritual for the next 4 days and nights. The light went off on the hour every hour. Every time it went off Keanen would say, “The light is acting funny mom. Can you fix it?” The first night the kids had fun. Everytime the light went of, they would turn on the flashlight and make shadow puppets. I felt like a light sheriff since I had tied the flashlight to my jeans after searching frantically for it one too many times.

Finally, the electric company came out. I guess it pays to be the Mayor’s wife. They sent 8 men to fix the problem. Let’s just say, it’s kind of fixed. Now it only goes off every 6-8 hours. 🙂

The past month has helped to highlight some of the things I have taken for granted. Coming to Mali has definitely helped put many things in perspective. Even in the depth of the economic crisis in America, no American can be as poor as the poorest Malian. Here poverty is not unique. It envelopes you in all directions from the children in tattered clothes that play outside to the quality of the meal that is eaten. While it affects you in some ways because it is so prominent in every direction it almost grows on you as a norm. Almost that is till you see a young girl selling fruit on the street to support her family or young children begging in the street. Here lunch consists of rice and sauce while dinner may be beans, peas, cucumbers or potatoes. Here protein is a blessing and meat, fish and eggs are eaten by mainly the more well off. The next burger is 1 hour away in the capital city of Bamako. Nevertheless, I am lucky. Lucky to have a comfortable home, lucky to have food on the table three times a day, lucky to have water anytime I please, lucky not to have to work in the hot sun or the terrible rains, lucky to have been blessed to appreciate a difference. I am blessed.

This past month I have not been able to rely as much on Yeah, simply because he has been in the US raising funds. I have had to handle many things on my own in a foreign country speaking almost little to none of the language. In these past few weeks, my belief in my abilities has grown with my language abilities. I also have come to appreciate the caretaker role that Yeah plays among his 17 brothers and sisters. When my nephew Boi was seriously ill, the village clinic was the last thing that was considered. This was mainly because of money. Over here to buy the medicine to combat the malaria, it cost $22 and the entire hospital stay was $14. To an average Malian, that’s 20 days of pay. To me, the cost seemed minimal as I had come from a country where a hospital stay for an hour costs about $200 after really good insurance. I am blessed.

It amazes me too how the kids have rapidly adjusted to life here. The first month, the only things on their mind was their friends at daycare and their grandma in Alpine, Utah. Today they talk about playing in the mud outside, climbing trees and taking walks. Keanen also experienced his first insect attack. Well, kind off. He walked into my room in the dark and stepped on a bee. Yes a bee. The next thing I hear is this great shriek followed by some serious hopping and tears streaming down his face. At this time we thought he had just stepped on something. I looked at his foot and took out what I thought was a splinter. As I went hunting for the Band-Aids (not because anything was bleeding, rather just for comfort), I found the writhing bee. I was panicked as Keanen had never been bitten before. However all was fine after some good old Benadryl and a lot of hugs. The other day Keanen was talking about school. He didn’t seem too excited. I think he worries about making friends and understanding them. If only he knew, I worry more. Some days I wish I could take away every worry, but how else would he grow strong. We have been working on his numbers and letters in English. Now to start teaching him the French side of things. Carmen seems to get a deep pleasure in taunting Keanen. A year older, it seems to have only given her a fresh confidence in the teasing game. Keanen usually handles her for all of 2 minutes before there is a punch (usually when I am not looking) followed by injured wailing. Today I was telling Carmen that I couldn’t fix the light in one room. With confidence she said, “Daddy will fix it. Daddy can fix anything. I’m sure Mom”. Such confidence is comforting. The other day as I was lying on the couch, Carmen came and asked me if I was OK. Then she gave me a kiss and said “I love you Mom”. First reaction was “Now what did you do??” The innocent reply was “Nothing mom”. As she walked away, I realized to myself how lucky I am as a mom. I have two kids that even though they are different as night and day, they are healthy, happy and blessed to have a bright future. I am blessed.

Keanen's new hobby: tree climbing

Carmen playing outside

Now how do we take what many have in America as a right and translate it across the globe to Mali. How can the children of Mali have the carefree childhood that my children enjoy. How can we say that we are poor when it is all so relative? Poor based on what? Money we used to have or money we want? Take a look at Mali. Why should a young girl in Mali not have the right to get an education? Why in Mali should children beg in the street when they should be in school? Why should three meals a day not be a staple? Why should healthcare not be enjoyed by all? Why should Mali be a poor country? All these things are not things that cannot be corrected. They can if someone has the strength to stop them. All people deserve a good education, equal opportunity and good healthcare. It all starts with education. If people are educated then they will have the ability to raise themselves out of poverty. 54% of the electoral are youth. If the youth are mobilized and education becomes the priority, they will have the ability to change their future and the future of generations to come. The time is now and the time has come for change.

I am so excited and pleased to announce that the website has been updated to include alot of great information. Thanks to the kindness of Chris Johnson, a personal friend, for making this a possibility. ALso thank you to James Arrington for the great pictures and sleek design of the logos.

Friends, family and visitors, you will be pleasantly surprised to see more on the campaign, Yeah’s platform and what sets this man apart from all his competitors.

CHECK IT OUT:
 www.samake2012.com

WILL YOU HELP YEAH?

Spread the word. Please inform your family and friends about the campaign. You will be surprised how much effect you as an individual can have on the campaign.

YOU can help make a difference in Mali.

August 1st brought with it not only a new month of adventures but the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Having had the opportunity to be born and raised in Bahrain (a small island in the Middle East), I thought how different could it be. A week later, I am still surprised at the different ways Ramadan is treated in different countries and communities.
In Bahrain, growing up, I remember how I distinctly did not like Ramadan. Bahrain is populated with a mixture of Arabs and expatriates from different corners of the globe like India, Pakistan, Philippines, Britain, and United States etc. Every year, I waited for Ramadan with some dread. Ramadan for a young school girl meant restrictions as life in Bahrain seemed to draw to a standstill. Shops were closed, businesses slowed down and to be seen with a water bottle in the street would come with harsh punishment. It almost was like I was being forced to observe a religious practice I did not share. Now don’t get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed the celebrations that followed, but for a young girl, that one month was challenging. I celebrated as much as the locals did when Ramadan ended.
Today, I see it with different eyes. As I spend my days in Ouelessebougou, I am filled with awe for the people around me. Pregnant women and older people fast as if it were a norm. Even my nieces and nephews observe the holy month. I myself am weak. I cannot bring myself to do it. I tried it one day and by lunch time, I thought my stomach was going to squeeze itself into non-existence. Like I said, I am weak. In Mali, even though the population is 90% Muslim, there seems to be a general understanding that not all can fast and it is not to be held against them. There seems to be a general acceptance of an individual’s right to choose whether they want to observe fasting that day. Expressions of “I be su wa?” (Are you fasting?) are commonly heard and those who are not fasting are jokingly berated. Most Malians believe like many Muslims that fasting brings blessings and those that fast will be regarded favorably by Allah (God). At first I reduced the number of visits to my brother in law Bei, as he seemed exhausted those first few days. However, soon he told me not to change my habits because of him. As I sit chatting with Bei, I am amazed at how my nieces and Kadja( Bei’s wife) will work consistently and in the heat of the day. The role of the women is more pronounced during Ramadan. These women make sure there is a meal to eat at 4:30 in the morning before the fast starts. They make sure there is meal to break the fast and then ensure that there is enough to eat after the mosque. In addition to this, they wash clothes, draw water, clean the compound, pound millet, take care of the kids and any other thing that needs their attention. And they do all this on an empty stomach. The women of Mali amaze me. I wish that I had their strength and ability to see the goal and not the present struggle.
So what is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast. . As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking. The Arabic word for “fasting” (sawm) literally means “to refrain” – and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
As we enter the second week of Ramadan, the tone changes a little. Things become more routine and a little easier to handle. Also people start prepping for the big celebration ( Eid Al Fitr) which starts when the new moon is sighted. The celebration will include a killing of a sheep and dancing. Children will also go around to neighbors greeting them. These children will receive some money or rice as they go around. After their rounds they will return and celebrate with music and dance. Today when I went to Bei’s compound, I saw the kids prepping themselves for the celebration that was two weeks away. They were dressing up and pretending among themselves. Also the women are prepping themselves with new clothes and new clothes for their children. New shoes, dress cloths and jewelry are a common sight as women get ready for the month end celebration.
Campaigning too has drawn to a standstill during this month. Ramadan truly serves as month to remind people to go back to their roots and refocus thoughts on their creator. No matter what our religion is or which walk of life we have come from, Ramadan serves as a reminder that all of us can give thanks for our many blessings and celebrate the silent force in our lives.

We celebrated Carmen’s third birthday on August 4^th by visiting the national park of Mali. This was a great adventure. I loved the park. The peacefulness and cleanliness was a unique sight in a bustling polluted capital city. There were two huge parks for children to play in. I literally had to drag the children home when it was time to go.

The last week also saw my nephew Boi get extremely sick. He had malaria and things looked very bad. It was a good thing we could take him to the clinic. 4 days at the clinic had him back to his old self. That was a scary thing to see as Boi is the same age as Keanen and no child deserves to be sick. It is interesting to see the difference in how sickness is treated here. In Mali, because of the cost of the healthcare system and the belief of old traditions, sometimes precious time is wasted and other options pursued before someone goes to the clinic. As people become more accustomed to having affordable healthcare, this will change.

The last week has been a lonely week. Yeah departed to the US to get some more fundraising done. Each of the events he holds in Mali costs $2000. The money covers the sound system, music, travel expenses, food, publicity and place cost. So far Yeah’s campaigns in Markala, Ouelessebougou and Bamako have gotten some serious media attention. The biggest newspapers in Mali have launched him into the spotlight making him a serious contender. However, it is a much-needed expense to continue the campaigning in other villages.

In Mali, newspaper and television are a luxury in many homes, especially rural areas where electricity is not found and illiteracy is high. In these areas, it is essential to focus on huge events so that people will become better informed about the policies and platforms of their candidates. Yeah and his party have attempted to create support organizations in some of these villages. They do this by creating youth organizations first. Meetings happen with these organizations that then spread the word among the villagers. People will be more willing to hear from their neighbor, family or friend regarding who they support as the political candidate. Word of mouth is going to be PACPs success line.

Already people are talking about Yeah, especially in Bamako, Mali’s capital bustling city. At the event the youth turned out in huge numbers. The main concerns among the youth are jobs and education. This is Mali’s next generation and they cannot even fend for themselves. As we were driving in Bamako, I and my friend Dianna stopped at a stop light. The minute we stopped, we were besieged by children that couldn’t have been old than eight or nine years. There were also older men in their early twenties. As we were talking, my friend Dianna told me she had actually had the opportunity to speak with these men. Believe it or not, some of these young men have actually studied in college. However the economy cannot produce the jobs so that they can put their education to work. So they do the things needed to support their families. Another person told Dianna, that on the day of his final exam he could not come up with the 30,000 CFA ($60) to bribe his teacher as the teacher refused to pass anyone that did not pay up. How true are these stories? One will never know. However the current state of the economy shows a 35% unemployment rate and puts Mali as the second poorest country in the world. One of the important things that Yeah will need to focus on is education and the creation of jobs. Yeah comes from a background of education. His father, Tiecourafing Samaké, knew the importance of sending his children to school. He sent all his 18 children (from 3 wives) to school, girls and boys. There were days when there was no food to eat, but the education continued. Today, Yeah’s family enjoys a better living experience than most Malians. That is not to say they are rich. However their education has allowed them to succeed better than most. The vision of one man affected the next generation in a small way. Now think on a bigger scale. If there was someone at the head of the country that made education a necessity and a requirement, what a change that would make in the future of the country. If teachers were paid well, there would be no need to accept bribes. If students would know that secure jobs awaited them, then would they not study harder? That will be the key to creating a stable environment for the next generation. Better education and better jobs. That will be a challenge for the next president. However if money is invested in the right sectors and accountability measures are put in, the country of Mali will prosper. Yeah has the knowledge of holding his own leaders in the mayor’s office accountable for what they do. It is this government transparency that will trickle to all the sectors that it touches. It will be a challenge but not a challenge that comes without a long-term blessing.

The month of Ramadan puts all campaign activities on hold in Mali, which is a Muslim country. Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and praying for Muslims everywhere. However Yeah will be in the US for 3 weeks in an attempt to raise the much-needed funds to be able to campaign effectively. There will be a dinner on August 10^th from 7-9pm to raise funds. In addition Yeah has been able so far to meet with some possible donors. Hopefully those will come through.

In a country where the presidential candidates have all embezzled money or are getting donations from embezzled money, Yeah is a clean spot that his country needs at this time. It is time for Mali to catch its break. And that break is Yeah Samaké.

Niankoro Yeah Samake: Civisme Et Patriotisme

Samake Family

Bamako presented the next ideal spot for PACP to make its next appearance. Bamako is the capital of Mali and its largest city with a population of 1.8 million. Currently, it is estimated to be the fastest growing city in Africa and sixth fastest in the world.

The welcoming sign

Maison Des Jeunes De Bamako

The crowd greets Yeah and PACP

The event was held on July 30^th, from 10 am to 12 noon. The event, which was held at the “A La Maison Des Jeunes De Bamako”, was attended in huge numbers mainly consisting of the youth. It is very rare to attract large crowds, especially young crowds, to political based meetings on a Saturday morning but about 1500+ people gathered to greet the presidential candidate, Niankoro Yeah Samaké.

A Glimpse of the crowd

Glimpse of the crowd_2

A big crowd

As the car pulled up, cheering was heard from inside the meeting place. A group of youth chanters greeted Yeah and pumped the crowd up to celebrate Yeah visiting Bamako and also his message of hope.

Listening to speeches

The event was started with speeches by Garba and Fomba. Garba pumped the crowd up before welcoming Yeah to speak.

Yeah was presented with a Ciwara that had the inscription: “Civisme et Patriotisme”. In Mali, the Ciwara symbolizes excellence. Yeah was honored by his party PACP for his strong commitment to his people and his return to Mali to make a difference. When Yeah got up to speak, the electricity went off. Rather than being deterred, Yeah, without a mic” rose to the occasion and addressed the crowd of 1500+ in a loud commanding voice. He spoke of what was possible for his people. He talked about how Mali is not poor but rather has been made poor. Or as in French, he says :” le Mali n’est pas pauvre, mais que ce sont ses dirigeants qui l’ont appauvri par la mauvaise gestion de ses ressources tant humaines que matérielles ».  This is a common theme in all his events. The youth of Bamako received the message with desire. The desire to see change in the generation to come.

Yeah is honored with a Ciwara

Yeah speaks to the youth of Bamako

The event in Bamako was great. It signified PACP’s stamp on the big city of Mali, providing candidates something to fear. Yeah Samaké had come and promised a difference, a change, a brighter future.  As the newspaper in Mali, L’independent says: How do the young people, who are suffering  under the heavy burden of unemployment and the crisis of the school and university system, not be willing to follow such a personality whose path is, moreover, very rich in education.

Yeah poses with the Youth at the event

A Great Event