Why We Walk: Djinessira’s Story

In the rural community of Fougani, Mali, a young girl named Djinessira Diakite dreamed of attending school. But due to a disability that affected her mobility, she faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles to education.?

Getting to school would have been hard for Djinessira had she been born in a country with accessible school infrastructure, but growing up in Mali it was nigh-impossible. Her community's old school building, with its uneven floors and potholes, kept her out of the classroom, as she could not safely navigate the building in her wheelchair.?

This month, across the world, buildOn supporters are fundraising and walking 31 miles in solidarity with students like Djinessira who face tremendous barriers to attending school. Her story is a powerful reminder of why we walk.

The Challenge of Accessibility

For years, Djinessira watched as other children in her community went to school, while she remained at home. The old school building in Fougani was not only hazardous for someone using a wheelchair, but it was also difficult to reach. If Djinessira wanted to go, she needed to be accompanied by her classmates every single day. Djinessira's parents, wanting to protect their daughter, felt they had no choice but to keep her at home.

"When will I get to attend school?" Djinessira would often ask her parents. Despite everything, she still wanted to learn.

A Community Comes Together

In June 2023, hope arrived in Fougani. buildOn partnered with the community to construct a new school—one that would be accessible to all children, regardless of their physical abilities. The entire community rallied behind the project, contributing an impressive 1,999 volunteer work days to finish it.

The new school building features smooth cement flooring and a wheelchair-accessible ramp, finally making it possible for Djinessira to attend classes alongside her peers. This transformation highlights the impact that thoughtful, inclusive school design can have on a child's future.

Steps for Students

Djinessira's story is at the heart of why we’ve launched our Steps for Students challenge. Every step taken by our supporters represents progress towards a world where education is accessible to all. Here's how you can make a difference:

Join the Challenge: Create your fundraising page and commit to walking, running, or wheeling 31 miles in October.

Raise Awareness: Share your journey on social media as well as what inspires you to walk.

Fundraise: Every dollar you raise goes towards promoting community service and expanding access to education in communities like Fougani.

The Impact of Inclusive Education

"All children have the right to have access to education without discrimination," says Djinessira's father, Yacouba Diakite. Thanks to the new school, Djinessira now has the same educational opportunities as other children in her community.

Inclusive education not only benefits students with disabilities but enriches the entire community. It promotes understanding, empathy, and equality—values that are at the core of everything we do here at buildOn.

Every Step Counts

As we lace up our shoes for the Steps for Students challenge, let's remember Djinessira and the countless other children who overcome incredible odds to pursue their education. Your participation can help create opportunities for children who might otherwise be left behind.

Join us in making every step count. Together, we can ensure that no child has to ask, "When will I get to attend school?"

Sign up to walk here.