Thursday afternoon Molly Melching, the Executive Director and founder of Project Muso’s partner Tostan, visited Yirimadjo to meet with Project Muso team members and to observe one of our newly-opened participatory education classes. Tostan is working in Mali for the first time, with classes launching in Koulikoro and Yirimadjo just two weeks ago. Ms. Melching, Tostan staff from Senegal and Mali, and Project Muso staff and volunteers all sat in on a class held in Bakorobabougou, on the edge of Yirimadjo. 

As we arrived at the site, we were greeted by singing and dancing, which continued as Ms. Melching and others joined the dance circle. We then observed the class session as the facilitator led a discussion entitled, “Who am I, and what is my place in the world?” Both men and women played an active role in discussing their different social environments and the importance of each person in those environments. A particularly moving moment came when the class was asked to think of people they knew who had made a difference in their community. One man stood up and told how the health worker in his community (present at the class) had saved his life by visiting his house and taking him to the clinic for care. As the session came to a close, the class thanked Ms. Melching for coming and for bringing Tostan to Mali. She, in turn, had a few words of encouragement for the participants and then we all joined in another dance as the sun began to set. It was a fun afternoon for everyone involved and a fitting start to what is sure to be an exciting and life-changing three years.