In 2011, I had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Yeah Samake at a ‘CHOICE Humanitarian’ event. I was impressed with this young man’s vision for his country Mali. He is a breath of fresh air for this very poor state located in the western region of sub-Saharan Africa.
I had spent almost two weeks traveling through Mali in 2000, on a UNESCO World Heritage Site tour to a number of countries in Africa and Asia. Predominantly a Muslim country, I envisioned century old ornate carved stone mosques. We were delighted to see these beautiful architectural edifices made of mud-brick and wood, dating back to the 13th century.
The Great Mosque of Djenné is the largest such example in the world. Rebuilt in the early 1900′s it is one of the most famous landmarks in Africa. The town of Djenne and the Great Mosque were designated World Heritage Sites in 1988.
Malians are a gentle people. Their smiles are warm, outshining their daily struggle to survive. Also a World Heritage site, was the vast escarpment called the Cliffs of Bandiagara, where the Dogon tribe people live. A spectacular setting with hundreds of villages built on the sides of this escarpment. Timbuktu, which lies on the edge of the Sahara Desert, is home to the Tuareg tribe, known as the blue men of the desert, wearing indigo robes and turbans. We enjoyed dining with members of the tribe in the desert, under the stars, amid the warmth of the beige colored sand dunes.
Since independence, starting in the 1950′s, most sub-Saharan African countries have been plagued with corruption and ruthless dictators. Today however, many new young leaders are emerging with an altruistic agenda. Yeah Samake is one of those new faces of Africa. His integrity and leadership will bring Mali out of the poverty trap, and earn its rightful place on the global economic stage. I am supporting Yeah Samake, and plan on attending his inauguration ceremony in 2012.