Any funds donated will be sent directly to us here in Mali to fund the creation of a sensory playground and garden at UMAV, the only school in Mali that caters for children who are blind or partially-sighted. The children at UMAV travel from across Mali to study here and so many live on-site. The school is entirely funded through charity, and whilst pupils do make a small contribution towards costs, where this is unffordable the school tries to find sponsorship. At present there are very few leisure facilities within the grounds. There is also very little greenery across the sandy premises. UMAV raises the aspirations of blind and partially-sighted children and adults in Mali, a country where there is widespread social stigma against disability.

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From January-April 2012, I will be living and working in Mali, West Africa, with international development agency International Service. Mali is the 5 poorest country in the world. I will witness absolutely poverty, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, social stigma and social exclusion.

However, I will also experience new sights, sounds, smells, languages and culture. I will live and play the Malian way. I will meet local people, and work with UK and foreign colleagues to support local communities.

Together, out team will go to Mali ready to support FEMAPH, an agency working with people with disabilities, in whichever way they require. Hopefully, we will be able to apply our ideas, skills and expertise to help FEMAPH to empower, support and represent people living with disabilities in Mali. We wish to help disabled Malian children and adults to gain equality, access services and have a say in how their society is run.

We will work to achieve International Service’s aims of combating poverty and oppression. International Service works in Mali, Burkina Faso, Palestine, Bolivia and Brazil, focusing on human rights, sustainable development, and sexual and reproductive health, primarily with women, children and people with disabilities (those identified as being most in need).

International Service needs continuous funding in order to carry-out such work. Donating today will help worthwhile projects to continue in the developing world. Play a part in supporting our neighbours around the world to have their rights recognized, build sustainable futures, and achieve their full potential.

All donations will go directly to the people who require support from international Service. Every penny helps J

Follow my activities and find out how your donations are being spent at www.maliandme.wordpress.com