• Photography
  • Film
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Gallery
Daily life in Hadish's homestead in Gao is difficult - there are very few schools, shops, and job opportunities. All the children help clean, cook and do chores. Adeoula,12 years sweeps the floor in the later afternoon. Ongoing conflicts in the northern r
A teacher takes a maths class at the Accelerated Learning Center of Bourougoundye, Gao where ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects education. UNICEF supports the re-opening of schools and alternative educat
Fayçal Maiga, 11 yrs old, (RELEASED) engages in one of the UNICEF lead programs at the Accelerated Learning Center of Bourougoundye, Gao where ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects education. UNICEF suppor
A group of students engage in class at the Accelerated Learning Center of Bourougoundye, Gao where ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects education. UNICEF supports the re-opening of schools and alternative
Adeoula, 12 years old (RELEASED) at the Accelerated Learning Centre of Bourougoundye, Gao where ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects education. UNICEF supports the re-opening of schools and alternative edu
Adeoula, 12 years old (RELEASED) completes a mathematics problem on the black board in the classroom, of the Accelerated Learning Centre of Bourougoundye, Gao where ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects edu
Adeoula and a classmate (RELEASED) enjoy class together in the Accelerated Learning Centre of Bourougoundye, Gao where ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects education. UNICEF supports the re-opening of scho
Fayçal Maiga, 11 years old, (RELEASED) a student at the Accelerated Learning Centre in Bourougoundye Gao, Northern Mali where ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects education. UNICEF supports the re-opening
Adeoula, 12 years old (RELEASED) a student at the Accelerated Learning Centre in Bourougoundye Gao, Northern Mali where ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects education. UNICEF supports the re-opening of sch
Adeoula, 12 years, (RELEASED) cleans the pots and helps her grandmother do chores at their homestead in the city of Gao, northern Mali. Adeoula and her brother were orphaned during the conflict and live with their grandmother Hadish. Ongoing conflicts in
Adeoula, 12 years (RELEASED) and her grandmother prepare a meal together in their homestead, Gao Northern Mali. Adeoula and her brother were orphaned during the conflict and live with their grandmother Hadish. Ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of
Portrait of Grandma Hadish and Adeoula (RELEASED) at their homestead, Gao Northern Mali. Adeoula and her brother were orphaned during the conflict and live with their grandmother Hadish. Ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have d
Children playing on the banks of the Niger River, where in 2012 armed Islamic rebels attacked the city of Gao, in Northern Mali and opened fire on civilians.  Ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects education
Aerial view of a typical homestead in Northern Mali where Islamic rebels continue to fight for power and autonomy. Ongoing conflicts in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects education. UNICEF supports the re-opening of schools

Gao, Mali

Against the Tide

The ongoing conflict in the northern regions of Mali continue to have devastating effects on the country, especially regarding access to basic social services such as education. Today, 300 schools are still closed and more than 60% of children are not going to school. A sobering statistic if one believes that children really are the rock of a country’s future, and the greatest asset of a nation.

In terms of emergency and peacebuilding, UNICEF supports the reopening of schools and alternative education opportunities for the children in these conflict zones. “Passerelle” is one such program.

In 2012 armed Islamic rebels attacked the city of Gao, in Northern Mali and opened fire on civilians.  Eight year old Adeoula lost her mother. She now lives with her grandmother Hadish. One of Hadish’s greatest fears was that the children would remain uneducated. So when the Accelerated Learning Center of Bourougoundye opened up down the road, Hadish was there on opening day to ensure Adeoula received a place in the school.

Adeoula started at the school at the beginning of 2016, and continues to thrive. At first, she was unable to write her name, but now she can write and even read a little. She has friends, and something to wake up for and somewhere to go every morning. She has hope despite the deep trauma she has been through, and the loss she has endured. The teachers and children at the school continue to walk alongside Adeoula and Hadisha and for the first time in a long time, Adeoula has started to sing again.

© Slingshot Media
Use arrows for navigation