Overview:

ALED is a non-profit organization created with the support of CODE in 1997 by individuals involved in education and literacy. Its mission is to contribute to the development of a literate environment in Mali through educational programs, book provision, library development and promotion of reading activities. It took over the administration of the CODE library development program in the Ségou Region upon its establishment. ALED works with local communities, state structures such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, the Office of Television and Radio of Mali and the Ministry of Youth Arts and Sports, as well as with the private sector (editors, libraries, printers, transportation, craftsman and other resourceful people). ALED's board includes literacy leaders and is consulted by government officials and the international community on issues related to education, literacy, library development and local publishing.

Previous partners and supporters include the Society of Missionaries of Africa (USA) and the Heinrich Boll Foundation (Germany), the Fonds Francophone des Inforoutes de l'Agence Intergouvernementale de la Francophonie (France), and the Centre d'Etudes, de Formations Actives et de Développement Entrepreneurial au Sahel - CEFADES (Senegal).

CODE-Funded Program:

The program aims to increase the availability of reading materials through the establishment of new libraries and to stimulate the desire to read among children through a variety of promotional activities. The program also focuses on improving and supporting library management.

Activities:

• Creation and support of new libraries;
• Librarian training;
• Promotion of a literate environment through the organisation of reading weeks, discussions and debates on literacy for broadcast on radio and television, production of skits for television broadcast, book fairs, and reading competitions.

For more information, the following articles were printed in our publications:

Zikomo Kwambiri June Issue 2003 (pdf)

• Aw nice! Thank You! From Sanamadougou, Mali

Executive Director
ALED
B.P. 2770
Bamako, Mali
Tel: (223) 221-3178
Fax: (223) 221-8394
Email: samaled@afribone.net.ml