Our Mission

To work in partnership with local villagers to transform the quality of life in the Ouelessebougou region of Mali, West Africa by delivering sustainable programs in health and education.

Since 1986, Ouelessebougou Alliance has given Utahns the opportunity to serve a specific African community. Our supporters know their assistance goes directly to the people for whom it was intended.

Our Work in Mali

Our programs develop from the underlying premise that the citizens of Ouelessebougou will themselves identify the most crucial needs and locally viable and sustainable solutions, and then, when possible, provide the human and physical resources to satisfy those needs in an ecologically responsible manner.

"Because of our lasting partnership with the Utah Alliance, we are learning many things and it allows us to better take care of our families." - Health Agent in Djemene

In all our partnerships, we strive to follow these three core principles of development:

• Ownership: participants are significant contributors
• Sustainability: build capacity in individuals and communities
• Accountability: programs and projects produce qualitative and quantitative results

Nurturing Nutrition

• Over 80 women and their children tend to individual plots in the OA Women's Garden in Ouelessebougou
• Two children's wells were constructed in the Famana School Garden
• 56 women and over 75 children now work side-by-side in the Famana School Garden

"The garden is the only solution I can use to get what I need for my family. We eat the healthy vegetables. I can sell the extra crops to pay the school fees for my children." - Sida Doumbia

Days for Girls

• 950 Days for Girls feminine hygiene kits were distributed in our partner villages
• We launched our Days for Girls enterprise in Ouelessebougou - the first ever in Mali
• 3 local women tailors are sewing and selling kits at the OA compound to provide more women and girls will sustainable feminine hygiene solutions

"The Days for Girls kit has helped us since we started using it. Before we would use cloth during our period cycle but it wasn't protecting us enough. During our period we would go in public but we were constantly embarrassed because the cloth we were using was not protective enough. Now that we have the feminine hygiene kits provided by the Alliance, we can go everywhere we want without being embarrassed." - Aminata Bagayogo

Neneko School Construction

• Three new concrete classrooms were constructed at the Neneko school to accommodate increased student enrollment after the neighboring mine closed
• 119 students attended school in the new classrooms
• New bench desks, text books and school supplies were provided for the students

"We lost hope. We did not have anybody to construct the school for us. Many NGOs promised they will construct them without success. Now God sent the Alliance to us one more time to provide three new classrooms for us. This year our children will study in peace.” - Fatoumata Traore, Neneko Mother

Literacy Workshops

• 288 students ages 14 and older completed the 3-month literacy workshop in 12 schools
• 24 literacy teachers received training on lesson planning, writing and reading instruction
• 24 new chalkboards were distributed for literacy workshops in 12 schools

"I can manage my small business, keep records, write letters and help my children with homework. Literacy classes make me feel pride in myself." - Tenin Doumbia

This is all made possible because of people like YOU.

For 32 years, we continue our grassroots approach to support the villagers' efforts for sustainability because of our generous donors: people in our community who are invested in our mission and care about the welfare of our village friends in Ouelessebougou.

We are grateful to our corporate, community and school partners for making a profound impact in Mali.

We are grateful to our wonderful community of volunteers

We have an amazing support system of volunteers including our Board of Directors, Gala Auction committee, day of event volunteers and expedition teams. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our organization. We simply can't thank them enough for all they do to support our mission!

What's Next?

For 33 years, our momentum in pursuing our mission is motivated by the promise of a brighter tomorrow for the villagers of Ouelessebougou. In 2018 - 2019, we will continue to our grassroots approach to provide locally vetted programs that make a lasting impact for village families.

We will continue to invest in local training and leadership opportunities and sustainable projects. Our new project for the 2018 - 2019 program year will be partnering with the village of Bassa on a solar pump well and school garden. We will also focus on expanding our community partnerships both in the U.S. and in Mali. As part of this growth, we want to partner with more Utah schools

It's going to be a great year. Join us in making it possible.