Olivia, currently studying for an Anthropology master degree at university, went for the first time this summer as a volunteer in Mali. With some friends, she stayed several weeks at the UVS School. Back from this trip, she gives us her testimony and answers our questions as a part of our Travel testimonies.

Why did you to take part in this mission?

I wanted to do a humanitarian/solidary mission and I heard about UVS International through Alex, a friend of mine who’s also volunteer. The experience was interesting for me as a part of my studies : I’m studying for a master degree and I’m writing a diploma-thesis on the human aspect in development projects…

What did this trip bring to you?

An exciting professional experience! I don’t need to be convinced anymore than traveling is a great way to learn about and teach the world and yourself. It was a rewarding experience for my master degree as I said before.

What do you feel towards these young people? What do you want to give to them?

A lot of hope… I hope they’ll have the opportunity to have a semblance of qualified life and that their daily questions won’t only be about surviving… Yet, I think that school and education is one way to achieve this goal, giving basics to have a job, to be able to think by yourself without being influenced which still remains a luxury in Africa.

What do you think of the school building in Mali ? 

It’s a very good project, with a great initial project by its founders and it should remain from years to years. Michèle (the school director - Ed.) is a real advantage on the field, she’s a great hard-working person. Education is a real chance for children. Sports seem to be a wise and original way to support underprivileged populations.

Can you, in some lines, tell us your trip?

Life here isn’t simple. Living conditions of people obviously draw our attention even if we knew it before coming here. To feel by yourself the climate hardness, food and sanitary constraints, mosquitoes, that’s a part of the experience.

Expect that, it was like heaven! Being in Africa it’s like being in another world : it’s a change of scenery, we are immersed into a culture with social practices radically different from ours, we were exceptionally welcomed! Contact with kids is warm, we taught them French and math. In the afternoon, activities were funnier: sports, singing, drawing, scoubidou… During the program, we’d been able to visit some places in the area and the last week we went to the Dogon country.

Can you talk about these Malian teenagers you met?

They were a bit shy at first, looking at us, staring at us while trying not to being seen. Then, they got more and more comfortable around us, they burst out of laugh when we said or did something that surprised them with our Toubab (=white) look! They were really enthusiastic; sometimes they even forgot we didn’t speak Bambara. They asked us a lot of things, they were quickly comfortable around us.

What do you think of this place and the school ?

I loved it! What I liked the most was the water well! I really liked the well but also the sanitations facilities and the furnaces! It gives you living conditions that changes your relationship with time!