Virginia Friends of Mali

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...

As of August 31, 2016, the well is essentially complete. A cement cap and steel access door with lock was installed after this photo was taken.  Help finish the well and build for girls' empowerment with The Richmond House in Segou! 

Coulibaly brothers' Bogolan Workshop, 2010, Artisan at work - one-handed!

According to an announcement by the president's office of the Malian government, the country will hold mayoral elections nationwide on November 20, 2016. The race in Richmond's sister city, Segou, will be between several candidates including Mayor Ousmane K. Simaga (incumbent since 2009) and current city councilllor (and Segou sister city commissioner) Madani Sissoko. Both men will be part of the delegation travelling to Richmond in October as guests of VFOM with assistance from the Richmond Sister City Commission. Stay tuned for details on their visit.    ------------ Mali: élections municipales le 20 novembre (officiel) Following excerpt translated by Google Translate. Click the link above to see entire story, in French. Malians are called to elect their mayors November 20 "throughout the national territory", seven years after the last municipal elections in this country plagued by unrest, the government said Wednesday.  The Council of Ministers met on W...