Centre Gédéon
for technical and professional training in Koutiala, Mali, West Africa

To bring hope, dignity and a better future to young people through apprenticeship to a profession and their insertion into the economic life of the country.
A Project of Youth with A Mission
Centre Gédéon?

The 'Centre Gédéon' (Gideon Centre) is a Christian organisation's response to the high rate of unemployment amongst young people and the poverty in Mali.

Although they may have had the opportunity of going to school for 6 or even 9 years, many young people still have no work. They just find temporary work offering no security or long-term prospects. The Centre wants to eradicate the causes of unemployment:

  • The percentage of those attending school is low and many of those who do start abandon school for various reasons, without even completing their primary education.
  • Having no professional training, they are not able to integrate into society and lose hope for a better future.

The 'Centre Gédéon' will provide a technical and professional training in the areas in which there is a big demand for labour. This will allow the students to quickly find employment.

The 'Centre Gédéon' fits into the overall strategy of Youth With A Mission Mali (an international, interdenominational and non-profit making Christian organisation). This organisation has been in Mali since 1984, and is officially recognised as a Malian association. In 1996, in Koutiala, it founded the Collège Privé Samuel, an educational establishment with preschool, primary and secondary classes.

The Centre Gédéon is situated in Koutiala (400 km from Bamako, the capital). It is a town of more than 120,000 inhabitants, the industrial cotton-producing centre and in the process of economic development. The majority of the population is Muslim.

Centre Gédéon will offer:
an education that will take into account all aspects of the person, as well as providing a framework for obtaining professional qualifications:

  • a technical and practical education of certain professions: starting with sewing/textiles, followed by an introduction to computing, car mechanics, metalwork, and others as needs require.
  • a general education: French, maths, accounting, management, etc; as well as a social, physical, moral and spiritual education.
  • a boarding house that will be available to young people coming from afar or from low-income families, and who do not have anywhere to lodge in Koutiala.
  • loans, repayable in the medium term, which will be available to graduates who want to set up on their own.
  • a post-study structure will be made available to the students if they so desire.

The situation in 2006

The Ministry of Education granted the official agreement for the creation of the Centre in April 2002 and a plot of land was bought in February 2004. the Centre Gédéon is 0pen in fev 2006 ,with the sewing/textiles section in a temporary shelter.

"In creating the Collège Samuel in 1996, we realised the enormity of the challenge of seeing all these pupils find their place in society. Many will continue their studies to A-level standard and even higher education (we hope even doctorates): but what about the rest?

The Centre Gédéon is our answer. Mali needs craftsman of quality, who will respond to the growing needs of an economy in full growth, and will learn to use new technology.

It will also be an answer to the problem of poverty that affects so many Malian men and women."

Jean-Patrick Perrin
Director, Youth With A Mission - Mali

The next stage and the financial challenge:

Although in the running phase, school fees and goods produced in the workshops will cover the expenses, the construction of the infrastructures and the equipment requires outside support:

- 1st phase of construction 39631050 FCFA (60459.26 Euro). Sewing workshop, part of the toilet bloc, part of the surrounding wall
- the well 5000000 cfa (7627.76 Euro)

TOTAL : 44631050 CFA (68087.02 Euro)

We need you:

As a partner, to give a hope and a future to boys and girls (literate or not) without making any distinction as to race, social class or religion, through apprenticeship of a profession; and to create lasting change in Mali.

How?

  • By prayer. Pray regularly for the ministry of the Centre Gédéon, the staff and the students.
  • By financial and material gifts for the construction, equipment and/or sponsoring students.
  • By practical help. As we want to join a high quality professional training with an approach based on Christian principles, we are looking for suitable men and women to serve in the areas of teaching, administration or construction.

To contact us :
Centre Gédéon
B. P. 83
Koutiala
Mali
West Africa

Telephone : (223) 264 05 31
or by e-mail :
jetadiarra@afribone.net.ml

Reply coupon
Name:
Address:

I want to be part of training young people in Mali:

  • by financially supporting the construction of the Centre Gédéon by a gift of ....................
  • by sending materials / equipment
  • By sponsoring students for their annual school fees
    • 1 student
    • 2 students
    • ........ students ---- (77 euros per student per year)
  • by committing myself practically as: ...............................
  • In another way, please specify: .....................................
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  • Please send me a copy of further information on the Centre Gédéon project.

Please send this reply coupon to the following address:

Centre Gédéon
B. P. 83
Koutiala
Mali
West Africa

If you wish to contribute financially, please send a cheque made payable to YWAM to:

Sue Pratt
YWAM
Highfield Oval
Ambrose Lane
Harpenden
Herts
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UK