“I met parents and children who have very little in life but are dreaming big, yearning for a better future through education. I wanted to do my small part, and engage others in feeling that they could make a real difference, too.” America Ferrera on building a school in Mali.
Ground has been broken, literally and figuratively. Actress America Ferrera‘s mission to empower the community of the Diassadeni village in the Sikasso District of Mali, has officially begun. Thanks to the support of fans and donations from friends and family in lieu gifts for her birthday last month, Ferrera’s school should be up and running by October.
The Ugly Betty star is the Artist Ambassador for global education for Save the Children. “I’m so thankful for the support everyone has given to this project. My trip to Mali was a life-changing experience for me,” said Ferrera in a press release.
The new school building will consist of three classrooms, a headmaster’s room and bathrooms. In addition to building materials, donations will be distributed for teacher training, school books and other supplies, a library and a water well.
Ferrera noticed how excited the children in the village were to hear they were getting a new school. She also realized how hard it is for the girls, especially, to receive an education due to the sheer amount of chores they have to do on a daily basis to keep their community running.
“In Mali there are about 800,000 children not in schools, and more than half of those are girls,” Ferrera said in a piece for CNN. I firmly believe the best way to help is to empower people who already have that willingness, and all they need is a hand.”
Photo by PR Photos.