Representatives from Build a School in Africa joined local leaders, parents, and children at a ceremony marking the opening of the new primary school classrooms in N’Tarla, a village in Mali, West Africa. We helped the village add 3 new classrooms, a teacher’s office, and a block of girls’ and boys’ latrines.

The festive occasion was accompanied by music, singing, and dancing, and speeches by local dignitaries. Build a School in Africa’s Abou Coulibaly was on hand, and gave remarks about the importance of education.

Every one of our schools is a partnership, and N’Tarla was no exception. The local community contributed all the raw materials and a lot of manual labor. The new school will go a long way to easing the overcrowding and encourage more families to keep their children in school.

There are many more deserving communities in Mali that would like to partner with us to build new schoolrooms. Please consider making a donation to help us build our next school!

Construction is well underway for the newest school in N’Tarla. The community has come together and laborers have made great progress. In the pictures below you can see some of the supplies needed as well as the exhausting manual labor required to construct the school. In addition to the classrooms the school will provide latrines and a teacher’s office with supply room. We are so excited for the children who will benefit from all of this hard work in the very near future!

We’re excited to share some wonderful news from the field — construction has officially begun on our 37th school, this time in the community of N’Tarla.

This milestone was made possible by a generous donation from a donor whose belief in education and opportunity is now taking shape in a very tangible way. Because of this meaningful gift, what was once a vision is quickly becoming a reality.

Work began earlier this month, and the energy on the ground has been nothing short of inspiring. The N’Tarla community has shown tremendous enthusiasm and ownership from day one. In fact, the photos say it all — a large group of young men turned out to help begin construction, demonstrating a powerful commitment to building a better future for their children.

When a community rallies together like this, it reinforces why we do this work. Schools are more than buildings; they are centers of hope, opportunity, and long-term transformation. Seeing local residents invest their time and effort into this project reminds us that true impact happens when communities lead the way.

We look forward to sharing progress updates as construction continues.

There was a true sense of celebration in Koro N’Tossoni on February 7th as the community gathered to mark the completion and official opening of their brand-new primary school.

The opening ceremony brought together an inspiring cross-section of local leadership and community members. Deputy Mayors, chiefs from neighboring villages, and other local officials were in attendance, reflecting the importance of this milestone not only for Koro N’Tossoni, but for the wider region as well.

The event was filled with pride, gratitude, and hope for the future. Community members came together to celebrate what this new school represents: opportunity, growth, and a brighter path forward for their children.

The ceremony began with a vibrant performance by the traditional music group M’Polon. Their music set a joyful tone for the day, honoring local culture while celebrating progress.

Following the performance, speeches were delivered by the village chief and the mayor. The ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the school keys. Our team member, Abou, proudly presented the keys to the First Deputy Mayor. In turn, the Deputy Mayor handed them to the village chief, officially transferring ownership of the school to the community.

This gesture marked more than the completion of a construction project — it represented partnership, trust, and the community’s responsibility to care for and sustain this new space for learning.

As students prepare to fill its classrooms, this new school opens the door to knowledge, opportunity, and a stronger future for the entire community.

Off-grid solar systems are booming across Africa — and for good reason. They’re reliable in sunny climates, safe (no kerosene fires or diesel fumes), and provide free energy once installed. Solar theft is real, so our systems are portable so they can be locked up safely inside schools at night.

We’ve already installed solar at Zandiela (2019) and Tionso (2025). The impact has been immediate and profound. It makes it possible to use the school for evening tutoring sessions, community meetings, and adult literacy classes. Schools have even been used as shelters during emergencies, like the flooding that hit Mali in 2024..

Now we’re ready to bring this transformation to more schools. Each $600 system includes solar panels, a large battery, fixtures, bulbs, wiring, and converters. In short, everything a village needs to turn darkness into opportunity.

This Giving Tuesday, be part of Africa’s solar revolution. Donate $600 to power education and community.

Here are some photos are from our first solar installation in Zandiela in 2019:

In Mali, at the end of 9th grade, students take the DEF, for Diplôme d’Études Fondamentales.This mandatory 9th grade exam that determines if they can continue their education. At our village schools, teachers are expected to do extra tutoring with students to help them prepare. But most villages are not connected to the electrical grid, so the only light comes from dim kerosene lanterns.

Solar lighting changes everything. Students can study together in well-lit classrooms, guided by teachers, preparing properly for exams that will shape their futures. The portable panels charge during Mali’s sunny days, providing reliable, FREE light every evening.

This Giving Tuesday, give the gift of educational opportunity. Just $600 installs complete solar lighting at one school.

When severe flooding destroyed homes across rural Mali in 2024, concrete school buildings became emergency shelters. Village councils hold critical meetings there. Women’s cooperatives gather to discuss micro-lending and business ventures. Adults attend literacy classes after working the fields all day.

But without light, these vital community hubs go dark at sunset.

For $600, you can equip a school with a complete solar system—panels, battery, wiring, and bulbs—that serves hundreds. Free energy from Mali’s abundant sunshine means reliable, safe light without expensive kerosene or diesel. It’s a one-time investment that pays dividends for years.

This Giving Tuesday, illuminate an entire community for $600. Your donation installs solar power where it’s needed most.

Over the last 20 years, we’ve built 36 village schools in Mali, West Africa. This fall, we’re inviting you to help us do something a little different.

When the sun sets in rural Mali, most students’ education stops. No electricity means no studying after dark — just when they need it most to prepare for the high-stakes DEF exam that determines their entire academic future.

But for $600, we can change that.

A complete solar lighting system transforms a school from a daytime-only building into an evening study center where students gather under a teacher’s supervision, catching up on lessons and preparing for exams that will open doors to secondary education. In villages with no electrical grid, these solar panels don’t just provide light—they literally create brighter futures.

This Giving Tuesday, power a student’s dreams for just $600. Donate now to help us install a new solar lighting system in a Malian village school.

It was a scene of great joy in the village of Tionso as people came together to celebrate the opening of their new middle school. Thanks to our incredible donors for financing the construction, and to the villagers who came together to provide materials, labor, and hospitality for the visiting construction crew.

A huge thanks to Andal Média for allowing us to repost this video. And thanks to Salifou Bengaly for transcribing the video and providing the French translation.

The donor of this school offered the following as a dedication:

I’d like for the school to be named “Reddere” in honor of my father, Carlos Corniffe.

Reddere is Latin for “to give back,” which perfectly captures who my father was. He devoted his life to serving others and uplifting his community, leaving a lasting impact on countless lives. He led our local Boy Scouts troop, opening doors for inner-city African American kids who, before meeting him, had never experienced life outside of Detroit. He committed himself to prison ministry, visiting inmates monthly to lead Bible studies and offer encouragement. He also helped run an annual “Mommy and Me” camp near Chicago, where incarcerated mothers were given the rare chance to spend a week camping with their children.

Beyond these efforts, he was a dedicated member of his church, where much of his community service was rooted. Through all of this, my father embodied the spirit of giving—quietly, consistently, and with deep compassion. Naming the school Reddere ensures his legacy of service, mentorship, and love continues to inspire future generations.