Please note the change of address. We moved to Suffolk just before Christmas, and the MDG office is now on the top floor of our new house. We look forward to welcoming many MDG members and J and D visitors here. The e-mail address continues unchanged. 2006 was a great year for MDG, but we have some fresh challenges for 2007, and we need as much help as you can give us.

 

 

Congratulations to the following who won prizes in the Grand Draw, which took place at the MDG Christmas Party.

 

The Gift Voucher scheme was launched last Autumn and full details were given in the last Newsletter. So far the Vouchers have pulled in over £1,000, so the scheme is steadily developing. The front running designs at the moment are the condoms (for the Reproductive Health programme) and the school equipment vouchers. As promised we will be putting a regular report about sales and the work they have funded on the web site (www.malidg.org.uk) The first report will be posted early in February, but if you do not have access to a computer or would like to know more about the individual voucher projects please get in touch with me or with Linda King on 01865 890829.

 

One of our big challenges this year is to get the money for the Barrage scheme at Mafele, in the Yinindougou Commune of Manankoro. Poor rains in recent years have seriously reduced the cultivable land at Mafele, the head village of the area. There is a solution, which would put this right and massively improve local water access. A small barrage costing around £19,000 will enable an area near the River Woni to become a basin to conserve water. Last January we met the Mayor. He and his councillors see this scheme as making a massive difference to the area. MDG has already funded a technical survey, through J and D, who will manage the project. With global warming and climate change use of water is a huge international issue, but at Mafele MDG members have a chance to make a real difference in the most practical way possible.

 

We will need help with various promotional events and activities in the coming weeks leading up to the Marathon on April 22^nd, as well as ‘Team MDG’ support for Zoë on the day. If you can help in any way please let Linda King know on 01865 890829. But what we would like all MDG members to do is get as much sponsorship as possible.

 

This selling exhibition is being arranged by Sue Raikes and Adrian Moyes, and will support both MDG and Friends of Bonou, a charity supporting work in Benin, with whom we collaborate regularly. A range of potters will exhibit their work, and all profits from the sale will go to the two charities. Art has featured regularly in MDG’s work since we began, including our connections with Kader Keita, the renowned Malian Bogolan artist, and a visit to a pottery village in Mali last January. Please support the Eynsham exhibition. If you know of any potters who might donate their work, or you need more information contact Sue or Adrian on 01865 436421 or

Sue and Adrian were also involved last January in a visit to Manankoro, which included their meeting with cotton farmers involved with the Mobion organic fair trade cotton initiative. Later in the visit they attended a meeting of Manankoro farmers and told then about the scheme. Some time later Diarra, head of J and D’s Manankoro team asked that MDG fund a conference of farmers to take things forward. It was agreed to incorporate this work into the MDG/J and D work plan, and the event is now being planned. We will update you on this project in future Newsletters.

 

Kader Keita and Anga miri siri na (Let’s think about tomorrow)

 

 Having returned to Bamako after his successful workshops with disadvantaged young people in Reading, and at the WOMAD festival, Kader has continued to develop his project for street children in Bamako.

 

·       House and train homeless children.

·       Reunite them with their families where appropriate.

·       Help them to develop their economic independence through Bogolan.

·       Encourage their communication and self- expression.

A number of MDG members and groups, including Ladygrove Park School in Didcot have donated to the project. Funding has also come via Friends of Mali, and Aduna, the Arts education charity started by Sarah Castle and Dudu Sarr.

 

 

The biggest remaining challenge in our 2005/8 work plan is to find the funding for an ambitious programme of malaria prevention work in the 40 Manankoro villages. Andy Benson is currently finalising a major Lottery bid, which has been developed in close consultation with J and D. The bid will be submitted shortly and fingers crossed! In the mean time, one of our Vouchers is for purchase of Malaria nets, so you already have one very practical way of contributing to this work!

 

 

Andy Benson, and the Taylor family from Devon are going to Mali later this month, and among other activities will be attending the Festival of the Niger at Segou! Good luck to all of them for a successful trip, and take our love and best wishes to everyone at J and D.

 

We are keen to encourage regular visits, so if you may be interested and would like more information please contact me at the address at the top of this Newsletter.