Project Overview
This project aims to improve access to education in nine areas of the Circle of Gourma Rharous in Mali.

Islamic Relief worldwide (IRW) will also develop the quality of primary and informal education in these areas by providing equipment, constructing and rehabilitating schools, creating adult literacy programmes, training teachers and supporting school canteens.

Project Background
The Circle of Gourma Rharous has the lowest economic status in the region of Timbuktu. Most of the population belong to pastoralist communities. These nomadic herdsmen raise livestock and grow basic crops to survive.

It is estimated that around 90% of Gourma Rharous’ population are illiterate. Difficult access to some schools, poor quality of teaching and low attendance rates are the three main reasons why many children miss out on an education.  

Since 1998 Islamic Relief has been working with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to support 18 school canteens in Gourma Rharous. The Education for All project is an expansion of this programme.

Project Objectives
To improve access to education in Rharous, Banikane, Hamzacoma, Bambara-Maoude, Haribomo, Ouinerdene, Inadiatafane and Gossi in Gourma Rharous. The project will also improve the quality of education in these areas.

Project Activities

• Constructing and rehabilitating classrooms and Development Education Centres;
• Providing equipment for schools and other education centres;
• Training teachers;
• Supporting school canteens in partnership with WFP, by providing food and kitchen utensils;
• Training schools to manage their canteens using reports and stock sheets;
• Providing administrative and financial training to school management committees;

Beneficiaries
Since January 2003 this project has benefited 18,980 people across the Circle of Gourma Rharous.