Problem

Rural girls are the most disadvantaged group in many West African countries; they are much more likely to lack education, access to health services, and means for economic self-sufficiency than rural boys or their urban sisters, and they have very little decision-making power in their daily lives. Rural girls also face greater pressures than their urban sisters to adhere to traditional practices and customs, many of which reinforce their subordination, including early marriage (and childbearing).

The Gift

Building on a six-month family planning and literacy and numeracy project FCI conducted for 28 girls in rural Mali, we are helping a girls’ association called Yeelen (meaning “light”) – the association grew out of our project – to set up and operate a small flour mill in the village. Girls in the village spend up to four hours each day grinding millet for their families’ meals. A flour mill will reduce this task to less than an hour a day, allowing the girls more time for schoolwork and other activities. Secondly, the flour mill will provide the association with much-needed income that can be used for healthcare and childcare costs. Contributions will help with fuel and maintenance of the mill, and for continued training of two millers to operate and make repairs over the coming year.