From a yard inLafiabougou to 105+ members
The story of Big-Hope-Mali is a story of community, determination, and the transformative power of language.
2022
Founded
Why we exist
Promote English
Making English accessible to all — pupils, students, and professionals in Mali.
Empower Education
Contributing to the educational development of young Malians with a focus on English proficiency.
Social Innovation
Empowering social entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation across Mali.
Club Motto / Devise du Club
"We are Changemakers"
"Nous sommes des agents de changement"
"Anw Ye Yelema Kebakaw Deye"
MECC Affiliated · Bamako, Mali · Founded November 23, 2022
From home yard to school campus
The Informal Beginning
Before Nov 2022Friends meeting at the founder's house yard near the first Friday mosque of Lafiabougou — self-training, chatting in English, dreaming of more. Early sessions were held at night, a dedicated group learning under the stars.
Official Founding
Nov 23, 2022First formal club session. 11 founding members. Weekly schedule adopted by collective consensus. Night sessions continued in the founder's yard in Lafiabougou.
Community Recognition
Nov 30, 2022A prominent English club leader visited, witnessed the club's efforts, and encouraged the members — validating the community's vision and dedication.
30+ Members
March 2023Three months after founding, the club had grown to 30+ active members — proof of the community's hunger for English learning.
Relocation to School Amadou Sow
June 2024The club relocated to Cours Modernes Privés Bilingues Amaou Sow — a renowned bilingual school in ACI 2000 / Hamdallaye, Bamako. Sessions moved to Saturday mornings, 09h00–12h00, welcoming a growing community of 105+ members.
Guided by passion, driven by community
Big-Hope-Mali is a collective initiative — not self-appointed leadership, but a community that chose to build something meaningful together.
Mahamadou Kane
Founder & Academic Director
Mahamadou Kane founded Big-Hope-Mali driven by a lifelong commitment to English education and community development. A Fulbright Scholar and MBA graduate of the University of Florida, he is a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI), holds a Master's in Management of Projects and Organizations from TechnoLAB-ISTA, and holds an undergraduate degree in Financial Sciences and Accounting from FSEG de Bamako. He also holds a TOEFL certification and an English Teaching Certificate from Arizona State University (US Dept. of State), and serves as a certified English instructor.
Academic Credentials
PhD (Pending)
UF — AI & Construction Management, Fall 2027
MBA — Business Analytics
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business (Fulbright Scholar, May 2026)
MS — Project Management
TechnoLAB-ISTA, Bamako, Mali (4.0 GPA, May 2024)
PMP® Certification
PMI, USA — ID No. 4313639, Valid until March 2029
English Teaching Certificate
Arizona State University — OPEN Programme, US Dept. of State, 2023
TOEFL Certified
Strong performance in Speaking component
SUSI Programme Laureate
US Dept. of State, California State University, Chico — 2018
Bachelor's — Management Sciences
FSEG de Bamako, Accounting & Finance, January 2020
Professional Experience
Founder & Academic Director
Big-Hope-Mali English Club
November 2022 – Present
Executive Consultant — Leadership & Project Management
Bhild LLC, Gainesville, FL, USA
May – August 2025
Technical & Professional English Instructor
TechnoLAB-ISTA, Bamako, Mali
January – December 2023
Director General of Construction Projects
Carré de Vie, Bamako, Mali
December 2019 – December 2023
English Teacher (Primary & Secondary)
Complexe Scolaire Future (CSF), Bamako
January 2017 – December 2022
Director Founder — Centre Privé de Soutien Djigui-Ba-Mali
Bamako, Mali (50 tutors, 100+ learners/week)
January 2015 – December 2023
Contact
📧 kanemohamed16641@gmail.com
📧 m.kane@ufl.edu
📞 +223 96 30 70 72 | (223) 70 81 98 27
linkedin.com/in/mahamadoukane/Setigui Famakan DEMBELE
President & Chairman
Setigui Famakan DEMBELE is a Civil Servant and Foreign Affairs Counsellor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali. A graduate of the National Administration School of Mali (ENA) with a Master's in International Public Law, he has received diplomatic training internationally — including online seminars in Turkey and India. As President & Chairman of Big-Hope-Mali, he presides over weekly Saturday sessions and closes every session with the beloved family photo tradition.
Academic Background
Master's — International Public Law
University of Bamako
National Administration School of Mali (ENA)
Bamako, Mali
Bachelor's — Public Law
University of Bamako
Diplomatic Training
Seminar on Mediation for Peace
Diplomatic Academy of Turkey, Ankara (Sept 2025)
English & Foreign Languages Training
University of Hyderabad, India (April 2024)
Digital Diplomacy & Cybersecurity
Institut Egmont — online session (Nov 2021)
Young Diplomats Training Program
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mali (July 2021)
Contact
📧 dembele.setigui@yahoo.fr
📞 (+223) 77 28 73 25 / 67 38 22 51
LinkedIn: Contact through Big-Hope-Mali founder
Languages
Mamadou FADIGA
Vice President
Mamadou FADIGA is a Web & Mobile Developer certified by Orange Digital Center and a Computer Science teacher at multiple high schools. He also teaches Biology, Physics, and Chemistry at the secondary school level in Bamako. Holder of a License in Computer Science Management from ESCAE (École Spéciale de Commerce d'Administration et de l'Entrepreneuriat), he brings technical expertise and a deep commitment to education to the club's leadership. As Vice President, he supports all club operations and serves as the club's digital backbone.
Academic Background
License — Computer Science Management
ESCAE (École Spéciale de Commerce d'Administration et de l'Entrepreneuriat), 2021
Web & Mobile Development Training
Orange Digital Center (ODC), 2023
Teacher Training Institute Diploma (D-IFM)
Natural Sciences, Physics-Chemistry (SNPC), 2020
Professional Experience
Vice President
Big-Hope-Mali English Club
March 2023 – Present
Computer Science Teacher
Multiple High Schools, Bamako
2020 – Present
Biology, Physics & Chemistry Teacher
Secondary School, Bamako
2020 – Present
Digital Training Assistant
Orange Digital Center (ODC)
July–August 2024
Web & Mobile Developer
Freelance / Portfolio
2021 – Present
Contact & Portfolio
📧 mohamedfdg72@gmail.com
📞 (00223) 72 66 42 29 / 51 53 93 95
linkedin.com/in/mamadou-fadiga-6659a3236moh7266.github.io/portfolio/Languages