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Name of Organization: Réseau d'Appui et de Conseils aux Initiatives des Artisans du Mali (RAC) Country: Mali Project Title: "Project De Scolarisation Des Enfants Apprentis Du Secteur De L'artisanat Au Mali" ("School project for apprentice children in the crafts sector in Mali") Project Timeframe: 12 months Location of Project: Bamako, Ségou, Kayes and Mopti Budget Amount: $43,712 NGO contact and website: Rue 222, Porte 173 Hamdallaye Bamako Mali Bp: 1502 Phone: 229-26-02, 229-84-58 Email: artisan@experco.net or omsanogo@yahoo.fr Project's Primary Objective: Strengthen formal and transitional education systems that encourage working children and those at risk of working to attend school. Description of Organization: RAC is a Malian NGO operating nationwide, with a management office in Bamako and sub-offices in Kayes for the western part of Mali, in Koutiala to cover the Regions of Sikasso and Ségou and in Bamako to cover the District of Bamako and the Region of Koulikoro. (The Regions of Mopti, Gao, Timbuctu and Kidal are covered by the management office). In the context of their partnership with the National Federation of Artisan (FNAM), RAC staff collaborates with animators for the implementation in the Regions of Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso, Ségou and Mopti. Description of Project funded by CIRCLE: Since the advent of democracy in Mali, we have been witnessing the exponential creation of schools by the public and private sectors. However, the increase in the number of schools does not go together with the school attendance rate countrywide. The number of the school-age children not having access to basic education is increasing because of insufficient classrooms, teachers and financial means of parents. Private and community schools constitute an alternative to take up the challenge of children's schooling. However, parents' incomes are low and it is difficult to pay fees, so many choose to send the child to the Koranic School or to learn a skill, thus exposing the child to a situation of risky work. In Mali, the sector of crafts employs 40% of people. It is a fast-growing sector and is providing for jobs and contributing to the reduction of poverty. The sector is organized by the National Federation of Craftsmen of Mali and guild chamber. The crafts sector has become a host sector for children of all ages not enrolled in school, or those who've been expelled or dropped out. Under the framework of the Winrock CIRCLE program, RAC has initiated the "school project of children in vocational training in the sector of crafts." The expected results are: Primary schooling of 140 children at-risk of working; getting children ready for the training curriculum by dual type learning, sanctioned by an admission test; and continuation of studies in vocational training schools. The project will collaborate with craftsmen's organisations and umbrella structures namely FNAM and the permanent Assembly of Guild Chambers of Mali (APCMM) through a participatory approach and research-action. A small informal structure will be created in each town among the members receiving children at-risk of work. A Child Monitoring Committee will collect all the information about working children and monitor their school attendance. A Children's Parent Committee (CPC) – composed composed of children's parents, bosses, partner schools authorities, and RAC staff – will be established to manage any problems that arise with at-risk children. In order to institute a rich dialogue between school authorities and decision-makers, there will be public forums for all protagonists, decision-makers and development partners. This framework will serve as a form for exchange on the problematic of children at risk of work in the craft sector. A national workshop will aggregate the project's progress and findings in all communities. Conclusions of this workshop will be subject to the departments in charge of craft industry, professional training and education. In return, the enrolment of children at risk of work in school will be done on the basis of the information, collected from parents and employers of the child in training. Thus a classroom will be created if need be, linked to the production or gathering centers of craftsmen in order to bring the classroom closer to the apprentice. This classroom will not stand in for a school, but will serve as a transit center for children to revive their desire to attend to school for children with needy parents. The project will take charge of the fees and expect a contribution from the parent or the employer, the CPC will be able to appeal to volunteers to sponsor children for one cycle training. For bridge or transit classes, a system of rotation or double session will be set up to permit children to continue their professional training without any interruption. A school canteen will be created within the link class in order to provide breakfast for children. In partner schools where children will be registered or maintained the project will contribute to the equipments and the school fees of the three first years. Project Targets (Common Indicators): 140 children total
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CIRCLE Project NGO Partners in Africa