International Platform on Sport And Development

In Mali, 64% of the population lives in conditions of poverty. Although the national HIV/AIDS rate is relatively low at 1.7%, a recent survey indicates that misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS are prevalent among the youth population. This can result in a future growth in the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The RTP project in Mali uses sport and play as tools to enhance healthy child development, build individual and community capacity; strengthen community partnerships and networks; and uses the convening power of sport to support national health priorities toward immunization, HIV/AIDS, and disease prevention.

RTP Mali has been implementing programs in Bamako’s communes I & II.

Children under age 10, youth aged 10-14 & 15-19 in Bamako’s communes I & II, adults (persons over the age of 20) as coaches, local Non-Governmental organizations & Community Based Organizations, social mobilization committees & local media where applicable.

Some of the sports used in the project include football & volleyball. The programs are crafted to uphold the values of development – equity, inclusion & sustainability. In addition to improving health & well being, the programs also serve as tools to teach important values & life skills & to spread messages of health & peace.

January 2002 – December 2006.

Mali is a landlocked West African country with a predominantly Muslim population of 10.5 million. It is heavily dependent on international aid and an agricultural sector that is extremely vulnerable to climatic vagaries. In recent history, the crisis in neighboring Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia has also forced the government and its partners to reallocate substantial resources to the provision of humanitarian assistance to returnees, asylum seekers and transitory populations.