Child Sponsorship Background from Bamako, Mali

SOS Children's Village Sanankoroba, near Bamako

SOS Children's Village Sanankoroba is about 30 km south of the capital Bamako and was officially opened on 10 December 1988. It consists of 13 family houses for a total of 130 children, a village director's house, an aunt's house, an administration building and a small ward. So that each family can be as self-sufficient as possible, each house has a vegetable garden and fruit trees are planted by it. Due to an extensive preliminary study of the socio-economic, cultural and social environment, the results of which were taken into account in the planning of the SOS Children's Village, SOS Children's Village Sanankoroba is a particularly valuable example of how traditional local, indigenous building styles and a modern building concept can complement each other.

Other SOS Projects in Sanankoroba

In October 1988, an SOS Nursery school was added to SOS Children's Village Sanankoroba for 150 children, some of whom also come from the neighbouring areas. Six group rooms and a playground are also available for the children to use.

In order to prepare the young people who are reaching the age when they will leave the SOS Children's Village for an independent life, at the end of July 1996 an SOS Youth Home was opened in Torokorobougou, where 20 young people are given the opportunity to gain increasing independence. There they are only supervised by one caregiver and are carefully prepared for this move by the SOS mothers, the village director and psychologists. They stay at an SOS Youth Facility (the Torokorobougou facility consists of ten rooms, a study room, a lounge, a kitchen, an administration area) for about four years. Young people, who are still in education or who are looking for work, can however stay for longer.

In November 1996, construction work was started in Sanankoroba on the SOS Primary and Secondary schools, which opened in October 1997. 800 school children (also from the neighbouring areas) are taught there in twelve (the primary school) and six (the secondary school) classes and can also gain practical experience in special workshops. A library, sports ground and canteen with a kitchen are also available for the school children to use.

Background to Bamako

Bamako is the capital of Mali and has a population of over 1.5 million residents. It is believed to be the fastest growing city in Africa, currently it is the 7th largest West African urban centre. It is located on the Niger River. The name Bamako is derived from the Bambara word meaning "crocodile river".