The African Sky family includes people from different countries, generations, and socio-economic backgrounds. We unite as a family to nourish creative approaches for reducing extreme poverty and hunger. In the testimonials below some of our project partners and supporters share their thoughts on why they appreciate being part of the African Sky family. Please tell us why you volunteering, supporting, and/or reading about African Sky!
Senyuman Coulibaly(left) studying with Alima Diarra (right) at night by flashlight since Zeala has no electricity. In 2012, Senyuman could not even write her name or read the alphabet and now she can write her name and helps other students. When Senyuman was asked why she goes to literacy classes sponsored by African Sky she said because if you are educated you can bring yourself out of darkness.
“Interning for a semester as the communications director, I was blessed with the opportunity to interview a number of dedicated, impassioned members of the African Sky family. Their stories of Mali and its people were so vivid and alive with joy and love that I felt as though I myself was standing in the villages by their side, in the mix of smiles, tears and dancing. Through their contagious compassion I felt connected with the African Sky family, and was fortunate enough to be able to help them tell their inspiring story.” – Alexandra Fylypovych
Denise Traore, when asked why she takes literacy classes sponsored by African Sky, she said “so you can take care of the children you have well.”
“I support African Sky because it is an amazing organization that contributes to the improvement of life in Mali. Although all of African Sky’s projects are important, the building of schools, teacher supply money, and adult literacy, is closest to my heart. I know that the money that I contribute is being used wisely to make a difference in people’s lives. I look forward to the yearly auction to hear Scott Lacy speak about all of African Sky’s accomplishments!” – Marybeth Mindreau
“The wonderful souls at African sky are creating an absolutely beautiful endeavor. Touching and empowering the lives of men, women and children in Mali communities. Teaching and then entrusting men with the task of building schools, empowering women to develop skills in the free market to support their families and educating children to help ensure a more successful future. Awesome! ” – Judi Gardner
“The International Business and Marketing Institute at Stow-Munroe Falls High School always supports an international cause. With Scott Lacy being a Stow alumni, the class wanted to support African Sky. The students’ goal is to finance a new school in Mali. This brings Mali into the classroom and gives the students a connection to global issues and an understanding that they can make a difference anywhere around the world.” – Lisa Mowls
Elizabeth Traore is very grateful to African Sky for sponsoring her to get her literacy teaching certificate. This certification means a lot to her and also with the support of African Sky she is able to teach over thirty women in her village, Zeala. She says this is helping to develop the village. Before only three women could read and write out of over 100.
This proves especially difficult in the leadership and organization of the village committees particularly the women’s microfinance committees and when women go to market to sell things such as grain, vegetables and shea butter that need to be weighed. The men weighing their products and giving them money will often tell the women that their goods weigh less. Elizabeth says they can not do this if the women can read the balance.