From a yard in Lafiabougou to 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 English Club is a programme of the association Djigui-Ba-Mali, registered in Mali. Since its first formal session on 23 November 2022, it has grown into a community of more than 100 members: alumni of international scholarship and exchange programmes, professionals, teachers, students and pupils. Every Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00 at CMPBAS, ACI 2000, members speak English with confidence through hot seat, debates, dictation, grammar and games. The club's pathways are DEF Boost — English for the DEF, English for the Bac, TOEFL & English for scholarships, and Professional English. Open to all. Joining takes two minutes with the short form.
Help young people and adults in Bamako pass their English exams (DEF and Bac), win scholarships abroad and build confidence in English — through real English practice every week.
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.
Leadership & civic engagement
Encouraging leadership, creativity and civic engagement among young people.
Club Motto
"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 in the founder's yard in 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 2023In March 2023, the club had grown to 30+ active members — proof of the community's hunger for English learning.
Relocation to School Amadou Sow
Since June 2024The club relocated to Cours Modernes Privés Bilingues Amadou Sow (CMPBAS) — a renowned bilingual school in ACI 2000, Bamako. Sessions moved to Saturday mornings, 9:00–12:00, welcoming a growing community of 100+ members.
Guided by passion, driven by community
The club is run by volunteers and led collectively: the same team leads the association and the club.
Big Hope Mali English Club
Community Identity & Educational Mission
Big Hope Mali is a weekly English club founded in November 2022. It meets every Saturday at ACI 2000, Bamako, for debates, conversations and thematic workshops conducted entirely in English, and its community has grown to 100+ members. Our spirit: learn together, grow together, speak English with confidence.
Founded
November 2022
Sessions
Every Sat. 9:00–12:00
Location
ACI 2000, Bamako
Members
100+
Mahamadou KANE
Founder & Secretary General
Mahamadou KANE founded Big Hope Mali on 23 November 2022, channeling a lifelong passion for English language education into a structured weekly club that has grown into a community of more than 100 members. As the club's initiator, he shaped its learning structure and continues to guide its educational vision. He serves as Founder & Secretary General of Big Hope Mali English Club and Secretary General of Djigui-Ba-Mali, and represented Big Hope Mali at MECC for one year, strengthening the club's visibility and voice. He completed the U.S. Department of State's OPEN course "Professional Development for Teacher Trainers" (Arizona State University, 2023) and has taught English from pre-school and primary to university level since 2017. He is a Fulbright Scholar, holds an MBA from the University of Florida (2026), is PMP® certified (PMI), holds a Master's in Management of Projects and Organizations from TechnoLAB-ISTA, and a Bachelor's in Financial Sciences and Accounting (FSEG, Bamako). Admitted to a PhD in Construction Management (University of Florida), starting August 2027.
Mahamadou KANE also founded bekaSOBA in 2021, a separate private company. It is not part of the club.
Academic Credentials
PhD admission
Admitted to a PhD in Construction Management (University of Florida), starting August 2027
MBA — Business Analytics
University of Florida, 2026
MS — Management of Projects and Organizations
TechnoLAB-ISTA, Bamako, Mali (July 2023)
PMP® certified (PMI)
Valid until March 2029
Professional Development for Teacher Trainers
Arizona State University, U.S. Department of State, 2023
Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Social Entrepreneurship
2018
Bachelor's in Financial Sciences and Accounting (FSEG, Bamako)
January 2020
Professional Experience
Founder & Secretary General
Big Hope Mali English Club
November 2022 – Present
Leadership Development Program – Project Management
Bhild LLC, Gainesville, FL, USA
May – August 2025
Lecturer, Technical & Professional English
TechnoLAB-ISTA, Bamako, Mali
January – December 2023
Owner's Representative & Project Manager
Carré de Vie (residential construction), Bamako, Mali
December 2019 – December 2023
English Teacher (Pre-school & Primary)
Complexe Scolaire Future (CSF), Bamako
November 2017 – December 2023
Founder & Secretary General
Association Djigui-Ba-Mali, Bamako, Mali
2015 – Present
Setigui Famakan DEMBÉLÉ
President & Chairman (since November 2022)
Setigui Famakan DEMBÉLÉ 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)
Diplomatic Salon & Young Diplomats Training Program
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mali (July 2021)
Languages
Mamadou FADIGA
Vice President & Head of Curriculum (since November 2022)
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 & Head of Curriculum
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
Languages