Ousmane

During one walk around Mopti, towards the mosque in the residential corner of town, me and Barney met a young guy called Ousmane. He didn't try and sell us anything and didn't offer to show us around, he just talked. After a while he did mention that he ran a children's association to try and get more young kids educated. Normally I would steer clear of things like this because they usually turn out to be scams for money. But we had a day to kill in Mopti, and Ousmane seemed different to the other touts.

We took a walk through the Komoguel district to his house (small shack with a canopy over the front) and chatted about what his association comprised of, in very good English. Ousmane apparently grew up in Morrocco, his father was a marabout (Islamic healer), but he moved to Mopti when he was 11 years old after his parents divorced. That's why he speaks good English and French. He showed us photos of his family and friends that have passed through Mopti. Ousmane has a lot of different jobs, including working in a tourist shop selling jewelry, working for this foundation (more to follow), playing the Malian drums, rapping, owning a pirogue and doing tour trips of the Niger Delta and Dogon Country. But he never asked us if we wanted to go and take a tour, or never mentioned anything more about them, apart from that was his profession in the tourist season.

The Dianfa Maye Association (roughly translating to 'No Corruption') has been going for about eight months, and was set up by Ousmane and his friends to try and promote education in the very poor residential area of Komoguel. His friends all do this aside from their other jobs. There is one other guy who is trying to help out - an American called Herbert. He is coming back to visit Ousmane in January. We were shown some official looking paperwork and stamps with the association's name all over it, and Ousmane could talk in some detail about the project.

Komoguel is a very poor district, with open sewers and families squeezing into small rooms - Ousmane shares his small courtyard with three other families for cooking and cleaning etc. The school takes place in this area, or up on the roof where there is a bit more open space. Herbert's money when he first came to Mopti paid for some building work next to Ousmane's house. This is eventually going to be turned into a school room, but when we were there, we only saw a half finished project, with a few tables and chairs and a blackboard.

The Association pays for two teachers to teach the children French and maths in two groups. Forty thousand CFA (about £40) apparently pays for two teachers to teach thirty five children on Saturday and Sunday on two weekends. This also includes food and drink for the kids. The children's families are two poor to afford schooling and this association may be the beginning of a marvelous idea to really help these kids get a foot up in life. Or it may be a long con. I am really not sure what to think. I shall try and get in touch with him to confirm the validity of the project, but these things have to start somewhere...

The following day I arranged to meet Ousmane again and we would go and meet one of the teachers. Unfortunately Barney was ill, but Kez accompanied me. We sat at Ousmane's and took a long tea (all three of the pourings...) and discussed everything, from the Mayor not helping out with the project to Ousmane's life back in Morrocco. Afterwards we took a walk around the neighbourhood and met one of the teachers, who was roused from his sick bed to meet us. I explained, in broken French, that I am in contact with an association called the Rotary Club in the UK, that may be able to help.

There is a lot more to explain, but I think I shall wait until I'm back and have checked a few more things out. I am unsure; I dont want to be taken for a ride, but this could be the beginning of something worthwhile. I talked a lot with Kez about it, but we can see the argument both ways.

Anyways, on with the blog - I'll let you know how it all goes!