61st Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD61)

1. February 13, 2023
COVID-19 had affected our funding and program progress. As the sole funder, it is
challenging to fund projects without the assistance from United Nations and its partners in
Mali.
To create a full and productive employment and severe the gap of inequalities in the recovery
process of COVID-19 and meeting 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, ECOSOC needs to
make a formal referral of NGO with consultative status working in the fields or create a
funding source to assist.
Out of pocket expenditures on all activities between 2017 and 2022 were over $30,000.
In Siratiguila (2021-2022), Association Grace Mali, a local partner of Grace Leadership
Foundation Inc, spent over $1,160 for school supplies and a year salary ($500) for a second
teacher. There were over 100 students in one classroom and a second teacher was needed.
Association Grace Mali hired a certified teacher from the village. The one classroom was split
between the director and the second teacher so attention could be given to all students in each
classroom. This investment paid off because the majority of the students moved to 2nd
grade.
Association Grace Mali is still facing teacher shortages, not only in Siratiguila, but in
Dialagoun, Kirina, and Samaya because of lack of funding. In Siratiguila, half of the students
sit on construction planks supported by bricks. In Kirina, students in one classroom sit on the
floor. With external funding, we can hire local woodworkers to make schools desks, as well
as construction workers to build Siratiguila rural maternity and hire locally.
To facilitate reading, writing, and comprehension students need to have access to the following:
1. chairs to sit on
2. desks to write on
3. easy access to instructional materials to acquire knowledge
4. easy access to water, food, and sanitation
5. have school bags to carry instructional materials
6. access to competent teachers, and
7. easy access to a medical doctor
October 2022, Association Grace Mali donated $166 for the four schools.
In 2020, Association Grace Mali also donated over $1,667 to the women group in Samaya.
The women group purchased event rentals items for wedding, such as, chairs, large cooking
pots, and tents. This women group reinvests in purchasing more rentals items and taking a
percentage home.
In 2019, Association Grace Mali donated over $1,667 to complete the Mosque in Samaya
which created jobs for local youth.

2. According to UN Secretary General António Guterres, “Income disparities and a lack of
opportunities are creating a vicious cycle of inequality, frustration and discontent across
generations. This is a reality that people living in developing countries have been
experiencing before, during, and after COVID-19.
As indicated previously, to avert the challenges created by COVID-19 and creating a
productive and full employment in the four villages, Association Grace Mali is requesting and
hoping to get funding from United Nations and its partners in Mali to severe the gap of
inequalities.
Together we will defile inequality and increase productivity and employment.
Dr. Toutou Moussa Diallo
347-847-8764
Email: graceleadershipfoundationinc@gmail.com