Mali

Mali: Protecting Childhood Amid Conflict and Crisis

Explore Mali:

Learn how children in this landlocked Sahel nation are navigating violence, poverty, and limited opportunity — and meet the grassroots leaders working to restore learning, safety, and peace.

The Situation for Children in Mali

Mali is a nation rich in music, culture, and resilience — but conflict, displacement, and poverty have created a childhood crisis across much of the country. In rural villages and northern conflict zones, children face danger not just from war, but from hunger and silence. These are the three most urgent challenges:

Armed Conflict, Displacement, and Recruitment

Thousands of children have been forced to flee their homes due to militant violence. Some are recruited by armed groups, while others live in overcrowded camps with no access to school or protection.

Barriers to Education in Conflict Zones and Rural Areas

Schools are frequently closed or attacked, especially in the north and central regions. Girls are disproportionately affected by early marriage, gender-based violence, and long travel distances.

Child Labor and Household Exploitation

Economic hardship pushes children into agricultural work, street vending, or domestic servitude. Many children never return to school — and some are trafficked or forced to beg.

Despite these challenges, Mali’s children remain full of hope, dreaming of education, health, and opportunities for a better tomorrow.

Key Contributor #1: EDUCONS Mali

Rebuilding Education in Conflict-Affected Villages and Camps

Working in central and northern Mali, EDUCONS creates temporary schools, trains local teachers, and delivers educational kits to displaced and vulnerable children. Their mobile educators travel by motorbike to reach rural and unstable areas where formal schools no longer function.

They also work with parents and elders to rebuild trust in education after war and loss. For children who have lost homes and hope, EDUC CONS offers pencils, lessons — and a future.

Their classrooms may be simple, but the impact is lasting.

Key Contributor #2: ENDA Mali

Protecting Children From Exploitation Through Outreach and Counseling

ENDA Mali defends children exposed to labor, trafficking, or domestic servitude. Through street outreach, psychosocial counseling, and community education, they support child vendors, domestic workers, and those trafficked across borders.

They also run youth advocacy groups and engage religious leaders to shift harmful norms. In a country where survival often overshadows safety, ENDA helps children become more than what they’ve endured.

Their work turns exploitation into empowerment — one voice at a time.

Key Event #1: Mobile School Caravan – Mopti Region

Delivering Education to Children Displaced by Violence

In 2023, EDUC CONS launched a Mobile School Caravan in Mopti — an armed conflict hotspot. Equipped with chalkboards, mats, and books, the caravan set up temporary classrooms for children who had fled their villages.

Classes were held under trees, in mosques, and near water points where children gathered. Every student received a school kit, a meal, and a teacher who believed in them.

The caravan carried more than supplies — it carried dignity.

Key Event #2: Community Dialogues on Child Exploitation – Bamako and Ségou

Building Awareness and Protection With Families and Faith Leaders

In 2024, ENDA Mali held a series of Community Dialogues in two major regions to address child labor, trafficking, and forced marriage. Parents, elders, and imams gathered to listen, share, and confront hard truths.

Survivors of labor abuse spoke about their past. Youth peer educators shared messages through music and theater. The events ended with pledges to report abuse, protect girls, and prioritize school.

The conversations sparked transformation — and accountability.

Top Grassroot Nonprofits Across Mali