U.S. & MALI
Creating greater understanding and respect between people
U.S. & MALI
Creating greater understanding and respect between people
Visit our online Mali Jewelry & Crafts sale here!
Proceeds go directly to our arts and education programs.
Taking Stock: Ko-Falen purchases grain for our Family Food & Wellness Program.
Identified families receive 50 kilos each of rice, green millet and corn. This year we hope to feed 40 families! In addition, we provide assistance for families with chronic health issues and diseases.
Digging In: Caretaker Madou works with students to grow our gardens at the Tutoring Center.
Ko-Falen is giving our students the opportunity to learn gardening tips and grow their skills. Some have already begun gardens at home!
Solving Problems: Math Teacher Maama works with three of her students during Algebra class. Our FREE tutoring center offers geometry, algebra and physics, as well as French reading & writing and English. We also sponsor students in school.
Paving the Way: Our neighborhood is helping to pave the road in front of Ko-Falen.
Finally! Students and neighbors are working together to make our dangerous road safe for our students to negotiate!
Our programs in Mali:
1) Promote and preserve traditional arts of Mali
2) Feed families in food-insecure times
3) Guarantee potable water to our students & families
4) Keep young girls in school
5) Instill self-confidence and pride in underserved youth
6) Give students skills for their future
7) Open their eyes to a global world
Ko-Falen Cultural Center has been working in Mali since 2004, promoting mutual understanding between people of different cultures through art and education. We are proud to have built a successful free tutoring center in the outskirts of Bamako, championing the most underserved families, with a focus on artisan families in the area. We sponsor 45 of our 100+ students, paying their public school tuitions. We recently created an arts entrepreneurial program for our students and graduates to help them realize their own small businesses. We are reviving our arts and storytelling programs in the US and Mali to share stories and cultures.
Ko-Falen is a 501c3 nonprofit. Your donation is tax deductible.
Our Summer Film Fundraiser was a grand success.
Thank you to our Film SPONSORS!
Today, I sat in my mud house staring at my ceramic storage jar where we keep our grain. Inside, there was only 2 cups of millet left. I opened my two hands to the universe with a question, "Where will food come from so my grandchildren and I won't go hungry?"
Unexpectedly, I had a message from Baba Wague to ask how I was doing and also let me know about the Family Food grain from Ko-Falen to my family. I was indeed shocked with the news but I knew also the universe had heard me.
Hello, my name is Sheba Diarra; I am here today with my sister Nama Diarra, my daughter Yoflo Coulibaly and my grandchildren. We are here to receive our bags of grain from Ko-Falen. How can we forget the good old days at Ko-Falen’s mango grove, dancing to the balafon of Beledougou, with everyone dressed in brillant colorful African outfits--Ronna, Julie, Tami and all those other Americans?
The names of the days are the same but the times are not. I was younger then and organized all of Ko-Falen’s musical balafon gatherings. Unfortunately, a motorcycle driver ran into me seven years ago and broke my leg. The doctors couldn't help much and now I can't walk anymore. Despite seven years of handicapped life, Ko-Falen never forgot me. Last year, Wague personally delivered my grain, but didn't want to take pictures due to my condition at the time. However, when I heard the message this year, I ordered my entire family, who are also my caretakers, to bring me to Ko-Falen Center to take a dose of old sweet memories.
Thank you for not forgetting people like myself in the community. Thank you for giving the opportunity of education to our children and helping poor families. Thank you for being a good model for the people. The eagle flies and that is why its chick learns to fly also. May we live long like Turtle and have durable health like the Silk Cotton Tree.
Your old friend Sheba Diarra and family
10/2023
Ko-Falen’s End-of-Year Raffle Begins!
This year, Ko-Falen is offering this elegant hand-signed print by Penda Diakité, valued at $1,000 for the Raffle Prize.
1. Each raffle ticket is $25, with a limit of 350 tickets.
2. Raffle is open December 3rd - January 4th, midnight.
3. The drawing will take place on Sunday, January 5th, 2025.
4. Winner will be posted on Ko-Falen's website as soon as they are notified.
To enter the raffle, click on the DONATE button and enter your donation (e.g. $100 = 4 tickets)! You will receive an email acknowledgement of your raffle tickets within a day. You will be notified by email or phone if you are the winner.
You may also enter the RAFFLE by sending a check to Ko-Falen Cultural Center. Mail to: KFCC, 1424 SE Oak St, Portland, OR 97214. We will mail you a donation receipt.
Your raffle donations are tax deductible if you DO NOT win the Raffle.
If you win the raffle, CONGRATULATIONS!
Ko-Falen Cultural Center: a 501c3 nonprofit since 2008
Buktu by Penda Diakité
(Commemorating the Tuareg woman Buktu, who founded the city of Timbuktu)
30" x 24" giclée print includes 1" border on 300G paper
