Mali: report 2008

October 2008 : Every Thursday they come from miles around to wait for our car. Laughing children who call hello and offer us their hands. It has become something of a habit for them to come for the distribution of milk. Those who are old enough to walk come alone with their tickets, they dominate the event and everything proceeds calmly.

Our orphan programme, which was begun four years ago, is working well. All we need now are permanent premises from which to do our work and all will be perfect. We need to be patient a little longer as Switzerland are working hard on this project.

In the battle against malnutrition, the AAG has joined forces with UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP). The workload involved is very large with regular trips into the surrounding countryside, administrative reports to write, stock levels to control and health workers to train. All this is perfectly organised by Sophie and her energetic team.

The results are very encouraging and it gives us great pleasure to know that through this partnership, more than 3,000 children at risk of malnutrition will be protected.

Of course our work is just a drop in the ocean of worldwide humanitarian problems but we retain the hope of a more equitable world in the future.

November - December 2008 : A computer problem resulted in the loss of the report for November but overall, everything is progressing well despite the growth in work generated by the fight against malnutrition.

The start of December was notable for the arrival of the AAG President with 1,600 kg of material, all transported by Alenia in collaboration with the Italian Airforce who are on a mission in Gao.

During her 3 week trip, the president participated in 4 supervisory missions into the bush around Ansongo : to Tin Hama, Labbezanga, Basi Gourma and Boya. The results were not positive and always for the same reasons, lack of means, lack of competent, motivated personnel and lack of understanding of the protocol. If the battle against malnutrition is to be successful the national protocol has to be applied to the letter but it is often not understood by health workers. The teams need to be backed up by well trained support workers.

Whilst the president remained in Gao working on the construction project, Sophie, with her team of 2 drivers and 2 assistants, made the delivery of WFP provisions around Ménaka. Six tonnes of flour, oil and sugar were delivered to seven community health centres spread over several hundreds of kilometers of pot-holed routes. Thanks to its new tyres our truck was able to withstand the rigours of the trip but the same cannot be said of Sophie. She returned by ambulance suffering from very painful muscle strains in her back. Thankfully there have been no long term ill effects but it serves as a warning for future trips. It is deeply satisfying to think of the many children the trip has saved - our aim has been achieved.

The distributions to the orphans took place in an atmosphere of great joy due partly to the festive season but also to the little 'extras' sent from Europe : pasta and tomato sauce from the Italians, clothes, shoes, dates, bananas, biscuits and sweets from our sponsors in Switzerland. Apart from several seasonal colds, the children are all in good health.

Sophie, the AAG in Gao, the care staff and the children all thank you sincerely and wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year 2009 !

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Arriving and unloading in Gao


Supervisory mission in Basi Gourma


Loading provisions for Ménaka


On the way to Ménaka


Distribution to the orphans