Background and problem analysis
At this moment more then 50% of the Malian civilization is younger then 17 years and 75% younger then 25. 75% of the youth is unemployed. Mali is one of the most poorest countries in the world with a permanent crisis in it’s education. The average birth rate per woman is 7.1 children. A lot of youngsters think that they can find their escape in Europe. Miriyawalé finds this a very qualified case and thinks that it needs to be treated. The youth in Mali is threatened by many treats; poverty, AIDS, unemployment, illiteracy, malnutrition, abuse, hopelessness and oppression. Miriyawalé is convinced that social cultural projects lead to development. With some finance, materials, lots of love and patience we can make a change.

Target groups and Goals
The target groups of NGO Miriyawalé in Mali are:
- Children from 0-12 (neighbourhood function)
- Teenagers 12-21 (regional function)
- Young adults 21-30 (regional function)
The goal is to give children and young-ones, next to their home and school, a safe place and contribute to the development of the visitors and participants to grow up into independent adults.

Execution
ONG Miriyawalé uses “A socio-cultural methodology, this is a way of thinking and acting that is based on reflection, experience, expertise and scientific knowledge. This methodology is used by various organizations by their volunteer and professional staff. They use it to connect to individuals and groups and to activate the participants of the projects in one or more dimensions of their existence and in their various living conditions. These dimensions of existence characterizes human beings as meaningful value seekers, as knowledge processors, as skilled actors and creative explorers, as creators of culture and social beings. The chief objectives are to develop an identity, promote social integration and social participation and the building of a democratic, sustainable and inclusive society. This conscious and thoughtful way of creation opens opportunities, encourages encounters and informal learning. There are processes of critical consciousness, reflexive accountability and personal education. This method stimulates the development of social, cultural and communicative skills and the formation of social networks and cultural symbols. In creating and exploiting these opportunities the individuals and groups are active ‘participants’ with whom the staff dialogues about the specific objectives and approaches.
In the Center we use the slogan:“Youth for Youth”
The older kids who visit the Center are all volunteers and help de little ones. The volunteers are supervised by Abou Camara and Janette de Haas. The Center is for and by the youth. We run the Center together. All of the visitors get a pass/entry ticket: “Ami(e) (friend of) Miriyawalé” and will be registered at one point. There is a weekly program during school and holiday periods with sports, games, cultural-experience, lessons, lecture, homework assistance, and clubs during the weekday’s and a more relaxing program in the weekend with watching movies, drawing, crafts, dancing etc.

Expected results
Sins opening we can tell that with a minimum of means, a maximum of results where reached. We expect that only more interested will fallow. Visitors grab all the opportunity’s with both hands that they get offered at the Center. From January 1st, 2009 more then 400 visitors passes where given out. Despite the move in June 2010 the activities are running as usual and the number of visitors remained the same. We expect that in the end of this project period our sewing classes are running stably.

Sustainability
The sustainability of our work can be proved when the school results of our visitors will grow and the school dropout declines. The positive attitude from the visitors and volunteers of the center will make sure that they won’t become inactive and despondency in their grownup life, but able to make a meaningful contribution to the Malian society in any way whatsoever. This is of course difficult to prove. One can not simply prove what they prevented. To do scientific research on this we think is wasted energy. Therefor in literature, enough sufficient evidence can be found on the efficacy of well-used social cultural methodology.