The Yangasso community
is pleased with the positive results of a water project.
Previously, water was scarce, but World Vision helped construct a
solar-powered water system. The community now has access to clean
water for consumption, and sufficient water to grow vegetables.
Community water committees work in collaboration with municipal
authorities to manage water and sanitation resources.
A higher literacy rate
and an increase in the number of students completing school are the
results of successful advocacy and awareness-raising programmes on
the importance of education. A credit and savings bank has been
established to help community members access low-interest loans to
start small businesses. This enables them to generate an income and
pay their children's school fees.
Mali is known as the
bread basket of the region, but malnutrition has been a major cause
of infant deaths, mainly because of a lack of knowledge about
nutrition. With the support of World Vision, the Nutrition Hut
programme was started in Yangasso to educate mothers about the
value of breastfeeding and train them in correct nutritional
practices.
"Thanks to the
support of our New Zealand sponsors, our community's sustainability
is secured by the Yangasso Bank that assists community groups and
associations with the establishment of microenterprises. With about
3460 clients, the bank provides 1850 jobs which have a direct
impact on more than 10,380 children."
Issiaka
Coulibaly, World Vision Yangasso Programme Manager
July 2010
The people of Yangasso may
not know you by name, but they will never forget what you've done
for them.
Like your sponsored child has grown, Yangasso has also grown in
independence and confidence. Now, the people are ready to take
ownership of their own community development projects, marking the
end to a wonderful journey with World Vision. Thanks to the
generous support of about 3000 compassionate New Zealanders, like
you, the lives of 46,500 people from 17 villages have been
transformed over the past 17 years.
Cate Burton
(left) with Fata next to her, and Fata's
family.
Emergence of Hope
Cate Burton, 23, of Katikati visited her sponsored child of six
years, Fata Coulibaly, 14, in Yangasso earlier this year. "I came
away confident that New Zealanders' money has made a difference.
The community is doing well," says Cate. With the help of World
Vision, solar-powered water towers, wells and irrigation canals
have been constructed and community gardens are thriving.
Children's nutrition has improved, and parents can sell their
produce and earn sufficiently to send children to school.