As we start this year, there is so much we have to be grateful for. These last two and half years have been a great opportunity for Yeah to serve Mali on foreign soil as Ambassador of Mali to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and Thailand, but based in New Delhi, India.

On a personal level, we have truly been blessed to show our children a different life and service in a different capacity. In my official capacity, I too, have had an amazing opportunity to partner with other international and African Ambassador spouses to do charity work with impoverished children and orphans in New Delhi, India.

Some key highlights of our term so far:

* Presented credentials as Ambassador of Mali to the Presidents of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Singapore, Bangladesh and the Kings of Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam;  
* initiated the visit of the Vice President of India, H.E Hamid Ansari. This was the first official high level visit by India to Mali;
* Organized the visit to Mali of the Foreign Minister of India H.E Mobashar Jawed Akbar, another first visit of its kind. 
* India committed resources to help Mali fight terrorism;
* India donated $500,000 towards the restoration of the Timbuktu manuscripts that had been destroyed by Islamic jihadists in 2013;
* A line of credit of $100 million for a power  transmission line from Sikasso to Bamako.  This project had been put on hold in 2012. Through intenses diplomatic efforts, it got back on track  and approved in 2017.
* Signed an MOU with the Indian government for the building of an English Language Centre in Bamako
* Government of Indonesia granted visa exemption to Malian citizens. Mali. as a sign of reciprocity, will exempted Indonesian citizens from entry visa to Mali.
* Got military scholarships for Malian military members to come train in Bangladesh;
* Garnered scholarships for Malian students to come study at top universities in India;
* Scholarships for rural women to come study at Barefoot College, a training center that specializes in solar energy electrification
* Started the first Friends of Mali in India.
* Partnerships with textile organizations to help Mali better process and utilize its cotton.

As we served Mali in these many capacities, each provided a unique learning opportunity and the opportunity to better serve Mali. Today, as we watch our students come study in India and the influx of businesses from Mali to these countries and vice versa, we feel that we have made some impact for Mali.  Our journey has been blessed and filled with many accomplishments for Mali.

Please watch the video we made with The GoodLine to commemorate our two and half year journey. 

 

We thank you for your support! Without you all these amazing opportunities would not have been possible. Wishing you a blessed and prosperous new year 2018

Warmest Regards
Marissa Samake