The Koro community programme
The Koro community development programme is located in the Mopti
region of Mali. The programme reaches 73 villages with a population
of 70,000. World Vision's partnership with Koro started in 1998 and
is envisaged to continue until the end of September 2012, as the
community are almost now fully equipped with the resources and
skills to take ownership of its own development. In the past year,
significant improvements were made in the final focus areas of
health, nutrition, and water and sanitation.
Issues covered: Health, nutrition,
water and sanitation
Updates on World Vision's work
Health and nutrition
- The training of health volunteers and 52 rural midwives at six
health centres has improved the health service delivery to
communities, helping to reduce maternal, child and neonatal
mortality rates.
- 1264 families received training in improved nutrition and
malnourished children were supported with nutritional
supplements.
Water and sanitation
- 6 water wells were installed in five communities to provide
safe and clean water, and help reduce water-borne diseases like
cholera.
- 7046 community members were trained in hygiene practices, such
as hand washing to help reduce diseases, and 80 latrines were
constructed in six communities.
The Koro community is in the fifteenth year of its development
journey with World Vision.
Life on
the ground in Koro
Early childhood education receives a boost
Sixteen early childhood development
centres help improve opportunities for preschoolers, and Koro kids'
clubs at these centres provide after-school care for children aged
6-13 years.
World Vision and Koro community leaders are together committed
to raising awareness among parents, teachers and children of the
importance of education to help break the cycle of poverty. Apart
from providing support to primary and secondary schools, the focus
in the past year has also been on improving opportunities for
preschoolers. The 16 early childhood development centres
operational in Koro were improved. Gardens were established and the
centres provided with learning and recreational equipment, as well
as books. Tutors were trained in child protection and Koro kids'
clubs were also formed at these centres to provide after-school
care for children up to 13 years of age. Educational visits were
organised to teach children more about history and environmental
conservation. "The children love the activities at the early
childhood development centres. The centres have also given parents,
teachers, community members and local government authorities the
opportunity to work together to improve the well-being and
education of the community's children," say World Vision staff.
Mali at a glance
Having once been a centre of wealth and culture, Mali now counts
among the poorest countries in the world. In 2010, Mali was ranked
173 out of 177 in the United Nations Human Development Index.
