Chinese Government provides RMB 10 million grant for Sévaré and M'Pèssoba Rural Schools Construction Project (Linked to Record ID#1372)

Project narrative

On March 29, 2007, the Chinese Government and the Government of Mali signed an exchange of letters regarding the Sévaré and M'Pèssoba Rural Schools Construction Project. Then, on June 12, 2008, the Chief of Staff of Mali’s Ministry of Housing, Land Affairs, and Town Planning Mrs. M'Baye Fadimata Thiam, signed two contracts with representatives of Chinese construction groups Quingdao and Quilu for the construction of two rural schools: one in the town of Sévaré (or Sevare) within the Mopti Region, and another in the commune of M'Pessoba within the Sikasso Region. The Economic and Commercial Advisor of the Chinese Embassy in Mali, Zhang Youhua, and members of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Housing were in attendance. The Chinese Government reportedly committed RMB 10 million (or 537,900,000 FCFA) of grant funding in support of this project. The rural school in Sévaré was built in a 936.08 square meters area and it included 8 classrooms, an office for the Director, and an office for teachers. The rural school in M'Pessoba was built in a 1214 square meter area and it included 12 classrooms, 2 offices for Directors, and 2 offices for teachers Both schools were also equipped with desks, chairs and teaching materials. The originally anticipated project execution period was 7 months. However, it was completed somewhat faster than expected This project started on June 18, 2008 and ended on January 10, 2009. It was officially handed to the local authorities on February 4, 2009. Sévaré Rural School was inaugurated on June 5, 2009. Sévaré Rural School was inaugurated on November 24, 2009. Then, in 2011, the Chinese Government provided additional funding to expand both of these schools (captured in Record ID#1372).