Project Overview
In 1997 Islamic Relief began the Orphans Sponsorship programme in Mali. Sponsorship provides orphans and their families with enough money to cover their basic needs including food, shelter, healthcare and education. Social activities are also organised for orphans and welfare officers visit them regularly.

As an extension of the sponsorship programme, Islamic Relief opened the Centre of Hope health centre, which provides orphans and their families with essential medical care.

Project Background
Mali is one of Africa’s poorest countries, with over two-thirds of the population living on less than $1 a day.

Poor access to healthcare has led to the spread of HIV/AIDS and other fatal diseases. This has created a huge number of widows in Mali, who struggle to provide for their families after their husband’s death.

Orphans are often not able to attend school because it is too expensive, leaving them with very few employment prospects.

Project Objectives
The sponsorship programme will ensure that orphans’ social, financial and educational needs are met.

Project Activities

• Distributing monthly sponsorship;
• Orphans are regularly visited by welfare officers;
• Medical check-ups for malaria, cowpox and diarrhoea. Orphans are also seen by an ophthalmologist and paediatrician;
• Compiling progress reports for each sponsored orphan;

Beneficiaries
Over 1,400 orphans are currently being sponsored in Ouelessebougou and six areas in and around the capital, Bamako.