From a yard inLafiabougouto 100+ members
The story of Big-Hope-Mali is a story of community, determination, and the transformative power of language.
2022
Founded
Why we exist
Big-Hope-Mali grew from a small group of English learners and continues with a clear focus on weekly practice, confidence, and community growth.
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"
Bamako, Mali · Founded November 23, 2022 · Weekly English Club
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 100+ 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.
Big-Hope-Mali English Club
Community Identity & Educational Mission
Big-Hope-Mali is a weekly English club founded in November 2022. Meeting every Saturday at ACI 2000 / Hamdallaye, Bamako, it brings together over 100 members for debates, conversations, and thematic workshops conducted entirely in English. Its mission: learn together, grow together, speak English with confidence.
Founded
November 2022
Sessions
Every Sat. 09h–12h
Location
ACI 2000, Bamako
Members
100+
Mahamadou Kane
Founder & Initiator
Mahamadou Kane founded Big-Hope-Mali in November 2022, channeling a lifelong passion for English language education into a structured weekly club that has since grown to over 100 members. As the club's initiator, he shaped its learning structure and continues to guide its educational vision. He also served as General Secretary and represented Big-Hope-Mali at MECC for more than a year, strengthening the club's visibility and voice. He is the founder of bekaSOBA (Denmisew Ka Gneta), the commercial consulting brand that delivers premium English & Leadership coaching. A certified English instructor, he holds a TOEFL certification, an English Teaching Certificate from Arizona State University (US Dept. of State), and has taught English at the primary, secondary, and professional levels for over a decade. He is also a Fulbright Scholar and MBA graduate of the University of Florida, a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified by PMI, holds a Master's in Project Management from TechnoLAB-ISTA, and a degree in Financial Sciences and Accounting from FSEG de Bamako.
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
bekaSOBA (Denmisew Ka Gneta)
2026 – Present
Founder & Initiator
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/mahamadoukane.vercel.appbekaSOBA — Denmisew ka Gnetadjiguibamali.vercel.appSetigui Famakan DEMBELE
President & Chairman
Setigui Famakan DEMBELE has served as President & Chairman of Big-Hope-Mali since its founding in November 2022. A true pioneer of the club, he was part of the original group that chose English as the shared language of dialogue long before the club had a formal identity — a commitment he has upheld ever since. During the club's most difficult moments, when sessions risked coming to a halt, his personal courage and relentless outreach kept the community alive: he continued to invite and rally members, ensuring weekly sessions never stopped. He also contributed to the club's founding documentation. Professionally, he is a Civil Servant and Foreign Affairs Counsellor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, a graduate of ENA with a Master's in International Public Law, and has received international diplomatic training in Turkey and India. As Chairman, he presides over every Saturday session and closes each gathering 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 has been Vice President of Big-Hope-Mali since the club's founding in November 2022 and is the person most responsible for the weekly session schedule. As chief moderator, he has guided the majority of sessions from day one — building the official weekly template the club uses, choosing debate topics, conversation themes, and vocabulary workshops, and keeping every session organized and consistent. He has also represented the club at MECC for more than a year and served as Secretary of Information at MECC for one year, strengthening his communication and leadership experience. Beyond his role at Big-Hope-Mali, he is a Web & Mobile Developer certified by Orange Digital Center, a Computer Science teacher at multiple high schools in Bamako, and also teaches Biology, Physics, and Chemistry at the secondary level. Holder of a License in Computer Science Management from ESCAE, he brings technical expertise and deep educational commitment to the club's leadership.
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
November 2022 – 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