School life
In a Mali classroom
Local school customs vary. The best way to learn about a class's day is to ask them directly.
All country briefings
Africa · Country briefing
Mali
A child-friendly mission briefing for 20 November - capital, climate, school day, languages, fun facts, native animals, and five questions to ask the class on the other side of the world.
- CapitalBamako
- Population~22 million
- Time zoneAfrica/Abidjan (UTC +0)
- CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
Mali, with Bamako marked
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Climate in November: Dry season in many regions; warm.
The capital
Bamako
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
Fun facts
What makes Mali a bit special.
Timbuktu
One of the world's oldest centres of learning
Open lesson
Djenné Grand Mosque
The largest mud-brick building in the world
Open lesson
Dogon Country
Cliff villages perched high on the Bandiagara escarpment
Open lesson
The Niger River
West Africa's great highway of water
Open lesson
The Sahara Desert
The world's largest hot desert stretches across northern Mali
Open lesson
Tap any card to open a class-ready mini-lesson - for the teacher to walk through, or an older child to read aloud.
Native animals
Wildlife your partner class might know best.
- 🦛
Hippopotamus
Mali's gentle giants of the Niger River
Open lesson
- 🐘
African Elephant
The world's largest land animal roams Mali's savannah
Open lesson
- 🦌
Dorcas Gazelle
A dainty desert sprinter of the Sahara
Open lesson
- 🐟
West African Manatee
A gentle river giant of the Niger Delta
Open lesson
- 🦅
African Fish Eagle
The spectacular hunter of the Niger River
Open lesson
Tap any animal to open a class-ready lesson about it.
Greetings to learn
Say hello like a local
- Hello!French
Five questions to ask
Conversation starters
- 01What does your school day look like?
- 02What do you eat at lunch?
- 03What games do you play at break?
- 04What's the weather like today?
- 05What do you wish more children around the world knew about your country?
What not to assume
Friendly cautions
- ℹMali has many regions and communities - there is no single experience.
- ℹClimate, food, and traditions can vary widely from one part of the country to another.
Culture
Food, music, sport, festivals.
Food
Music
Sport
Festivals
Tap any chip to open a class-ready lesson - what it is, why it matters, fun facts.
Reflection prompts
- “What's something you'd love to share about your school day?”
- “What's the most surprising thing you'd love to ask the other class?”
Could your class meet Mali?
Choose Maliwhen you register - we’ll show you the time-zone feasibility.