Classrooms for secondary education in Téréli
During the last 18 months we have become increasingly aware of the need for
secondary education around Téréli. At present,
when youngsters reach year 6 (usually 12/13 years old), there is no
alternative but to travel many miles and find accommodation so that they can
attend secondary school. This is particularly difficult for girls. It means
most children would have no opportunity to get secondary educationas as very
few would be able to make the journey.
The headteacher and many former pupils have campaigned to improve the
situation and after much work seeking estimates the construction of three
classrooms for secondary education is now in progress.
It was in order to help finance such a major venture that those involved
with the Burley-Téréli link decided we should seek charitable status. Even
though we have only been a charity for just over 6 months we have been
successful in getting a grant of £5,000 from the Hilden Charitable Fund.
This is a tremendous boost for our fund-raising efforts. Including money
from a group in Le Havre, Northern France, called ‘Coup de Pouce‘, a total
of £16,500 has now been raised.
‘Coup de Pouce‘ has a link with Daga, a village at the top of the escarpment above Téréli. This group has worked extremely hard to get secondary education into the area..
Zakari Saye, son of the Téréli village chief, has also been very involved with
this project. He is sincerely grateful for all the help and has written to thank
everyone involved.
(Many people will remember his visit to Burley for 3 weeks in
2001.Zakari visits Burley)
Photographs were taken of work on the foundations of the classrooms in January by the group visiting the area. (2007 visit to Mali )
In May 2007 Emanuel Saye was in Téréli and sent photogaphs showing the progress on the classrooms.
Téréli Secondary School opened in October. Such is the demand for education they have been overwhelmed by the number of pupils.
154 in year 7, 61 in year 8, 28 in year 9.
Those living up to 12 kms -7.5 miles- walk each day while those living further than 12 kms. board in the village. Those who can, provide cereal for the host family. Pupils, if they are able, contribute to the cost of books and pencils etc.. There are 4 Malian teachers, two men and two women. A total of £24,000 has been raised to build this secondary school. Many thanks to everyone for the generous support.
In November represenatives from Burley-Téréli Friendship Trust met up with ‘Coup de Pouce‘ in Le Havre. They had invited Zakari to Le Havre so it was an opportunity to discuss the project so far as well as plan for the future.