(Katherine’s words)
Next stop: Mali.
As the Grants Coordinator at Do Something, a national not-for-profit organization that gives teenagers tools online (information, grants, programs, a community) to empower them to make change offline, Jordyn interacts with incredible young world-changers on a daily basis. One is Caitlin Cohen, an exceptionally bright and down to earth 22 year old from VT (whoop whoop!) who created the Mali Health Organizing Project. MHOP helps the residents of a slum in Bamako negotiate with the Malian government to make quality health care opportunities more accessible. She organizes the traditionally neglected community and helps them claim their citizen rights. The results have been huge. Already, 60,000 people (as of summer 2008) have been impacted. Do Something honored her work with a Do Something Award – $10k, nationally televised exposure, and wisdom.
From Senegal, Jordyn and I flew to Mali to meet with Caitlin, check out her work in person, and explore any potential partnership opportunities. That discussion is ongoing, and in the meantime, here are some pics:
a stroll through the neighborhood
two curious friends
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