Virginia Friends of Mali

Woman washing clothes and dishes in the refugee camp built in a landfill near the Bamako Airport  where she and her family have lived since escaping the violence back home in the Dogon region. Please assist with A FUNDRAISER FOR THE CAMPS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE FROM THE DOGON REGION OF MALI The  COVID -19 pandemic is spreading across Sub-Saharan Africa, threatening its most vulnerable citizens. In Mali, thousands of villagers have fled the central Mopti region where much of Dogon Country and the Niger River flood plain have come under the control of Islamic extremists.  Hundreds of villages have been ransacked, houses and granaries looted and burned and livestock stolen. Innocent women, children and men have been murdered in an interethnic conflict instigated primarily by outside forces. Many Dogon and Fulani displaced persons from the Mopti region have been living in Bamako for over 3 years in tent camps without toilets or running water.  In such cramped quarters it is...

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosted its free Family Day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, celebrating the art and culture of Mali. Storytelling and Mudcloth activities with Virginia Friends of Mali , dancing, performances by musician Cheick Hamala Diabate and DJ Mikemetic & the Afro Beta Drummers were featured, along with quilting demonstrations by the Sisters of the Yam African-American Quilters Guild , clay vessel demonstrations by Carren Clarke and woodcut print demonstrations by Dennis Winston . Storytelling in the Library with the Alapini-Sakponou Women had it covered with these two books: The Magic Gourd by Baba Wague Diakite Sundiata: The Lion King of Mali by David Wisniewski At the end of the storytelling, the group talked about the country of Mali, and used a map made of Bogolanfini, a textile decorated with natural leaf and mud dyes. Then they sent their visitors downstairs to the Bogolan making activity!  Mudcloth Demonstra...

Les 10 journalistes de Radio Sikoro- six a gauche, quatre a droit. The 10 journalists of Radio Sikoro - six on the left, four on the right.  Five finalists (Soummou , Marie , Saran , Massitan , Safiatou)  held a writing conference, a round table in the studio on the theme, "influence of social networks on girls." They went on camera one by one to introduce themselves and describe their motivations.  Today, Andee, Cameron and their Bamako-based assistant, Erika Pomerance (standing in the photo), announced the three finalists:  Marie , Saran , et Massitan!  They said it was difficult to leave anyone out! This group of three will work together until Saturday at noon, when their team leader will be announced as the WRIR intern. Remember, though the intern will travel, all the young women will benefit and are excited about the projects they would like to take on with their new skills.

This video features sampling of the contemporary artist workshops now going on at the festival: visual, spoken word and music arts ... An ad for the festival, discusses the value of cultural celebrations ...

Virginia Friends of Mali invites you to plan your 2017 gift to support our mission through two projects: Project CURE In 2016, $25,000 was raised to send $450,000 worth of materiel that has JUST ARRIVED IN Segou!  Project CURE cargo containers of hospital and medical supplies were shipped in December and arrived the last week of January in Segou (Richmond's sister city since 2009). The destination was L’Hôpital Niankoro Fomba and one of its associated community healthcare centers. Segou's sister city committee president, M Madani Sissoko, was on hand with hospital director, Dr. Abdoulaye Sanogo, to accept delivery of the materiel. In partnership with Rotary Club partners in the US and Mali, we are raising funds to send a second container this year. We have commitments for $15,000 and need your help to raise the remaining $10,000. Two anonymous donors have so far pledged $500 each. Perhaps you'll join them! 2017 Goal: $10,000    Raised: $1,000    Rema...

The Richmond Sister Cities Commission and the Richmond Public Library is sponsoring the Young Artist and Author Showcase...Deadline is the 17th of February 2017. Please encourage Richmond's youth to participate with our Sister Cities. The 2017 Theme: We’re Going Places Sister Cities International aims to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time. This year’s theme, "We’re Going Places," showcases the importance of travel and exchange in achieving peace. Students are encouraged to draw inspiration from their experience with sister cities, travel, exchange, international friendships, and their goals to present their vision of where the future will lead. The Richmond Sister Cities Commission will provide the following Cash prizes: 1st Place - $100.00 2nd Place - $75.00 3rd Place - $50.00 The 1st Place winners in each category will move onto Sister Cities International Competition with opportu...