Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit the Build a School in Africa booth at the Solano Stroll in Albany and Berkeley, California on Sunday. We were happy to share our story, and made a lot of new friends and supporters. Welcome to the Build a School family! If you haven’t already, consider subscribing to our about-quarterly newsletter.

And, you were generous with your cash and credit cards! We raised over $700, with donations ranging in size from 50¢ to $75. Many people donated $1 or $2 to get one of our exclusive bookmarks, made by our volunteers from authentic African fabric. We’ve got a few left, so if you’d like one, get in touch.

We also have two Build a School in Africa t-shirts left from the event, both in size small. One of them can be yours for a donation of $50 or more. Drop us a line if this tempts you. A huge thanks to our friend Brooke for spending her whole Saturday making these and for the cool design.

We especially want to thank our incredible volunteers who helped staff the booth, make t-shirts and slideshows, and helped to spread the word. Special thanks to Jen for the awesome slideshow, to Christiaan for asking and answering trivia questions for seven hours straight), to Gabriel and Sebastiaan for the fun Lego activity that brought in lots of kids, and to Michelle for keeping everyone’s spirits high.

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.