Where are we involved - Mali - West Africa

Mali is a land lock West African country, four times the size of Poland ( 1.240.000 km2).   2/3 of the country is covered by Sahara and Sahel. A nomadic tribe - the Tuareg inhabit those hostile lands, moving from place to place in search for water and grass for their animals. 

13 million people speak over 30 languages. French is the official language.

Mali belongs to the 10 poorest countries in the world. 

Life expectancy for men is 47 years, for women 51 years.
Infant mortality: 107 on 1000.

Half of the population is below 18 years old.

 

Religion

Mali is a secular country. The Constitution gives a guaranty of the religious freedom. Islam is predominant.

90% Islam

8% Animism

2% Christianity

The northern part of Mali is the least evangelised and Islam is the strongest there. The Gospel was brought there for the first time in 1950s.

 

Main problems:
- unemployment and extreme poverty 

- illiteracy: only 30 % of children attends school. Education is not obligatory and many parents are not able to pay the school fee, to buy notebooks or even the cheapest shoes.

- Health care is often unavailable and fully paid. 

- very poor infrastructure: only a few roads and all in bad condition, no industry.

- fatalism and religious bondage