Founders

Katie Christ and Paul Laris were both Peace Corps volunteers in Mali.  While it’s been over two decades since their days living in mud huts and working in rural villages, their bonds with those communities and individuals have drawn them back over subsequent years.  

Katie has a BA in Economics and International Studies from UCLA and a MA in International Development Policy from Stanford.  She has worked in micro-enterprise development in Africa and the US. Her mother was an elementary school teacher.

Paul is a Professor of Geography and Department Chair of the Environmental Science and Policy Program at California State University, Long Beach. Over the past 20 years, he has lived, worked and conducted research in West Africa, publishing numerous articles on environmental issues and policies.  In 2010, he was awarded a research grant by National Geographic Society. Paul is from a family of teachers and has over two decades of experience in the educational field.

Being products of the US public school system, both founders believe strongly in the right to and power of a basic education.  They also believe in giving back.

Our Partners

We partner with the Malian Government and non-governmental and other organizations already working on the ground. 

Be Girl designs and fabricates underwear for girls to use during menstruation so they can confidently attend school every day of the year

buildOn has built hundreds of schools in Africa and around the world

Carter Center promotes sanitation world-wide

Helen Keller International provides training on sanitation and nutrition for eye health and brain development

L’Institut Pour L’Education Populaire (IEP) conducts teacher training workshops

Peace Corps placed volunteers for project participation

Plan International builds pre-schools and trains local women to provide support to the preschool director

UNICEF provides desks, school supplies and handwashing stations in support of their goal to provide quality education for all

USAID provides local language curriculum development assistance through the SIRA program

The Village Community provides land, labor, sand and gravel for construction of the school complex; school supplies for teachers, soap for handwashing, meal preparation for the canteen, school garden seeds and equipment, and oversight through the community-elected school management committee.

Corporate Donors

Google provides support through Google Grants

KOMPAN donates outdoor playground equipment

LEGO Foundation donates toys for primary and pre-schools

One World Futbol Project donates soccer balls

Virgin America donated airline tickets to help with fundraising

Executive Board

Steven Hatfield, Retired Principal, Deloitte Consulting

Kerry King, Nonprofit Executive

Advisory Board

Kim Appleby, Co-Founder, The Non-Profit Brain Trust

Kadidia Dienta, Gender Specialist Consultant

Jeremy Foltz, Professor, Dept of Agriculture and Economics, U of WI-Madison

Michael Laris, Architect and Innovative Play Designer

Greg Nathanson, Independent Education Management Professional

Renee Pardello, Retired Dean and Education Consultant

Edward Vandenberg, Director, Educator Support Systems, BloomBoard Inc.