More Mali Facts

The Mali mission is fast approaching! The group of volunteer doctors, nurses and support staff depart January 6th.

Here are a few things to know about Mali....

Time: Mali is 6 hours ahead of US CST

Languages: French and Bambara

Bambara language (Tip:  wherever you travel in the world, the people will always greatly appreciate if you’ve made the effort to learn a few phrases!)

• http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Bambara/Vocabulary
• http://wikitravel.org/en/Bambara_phrasebook

A favorite – Google Translator!  http://translate.google.com/#

Currency: CFA Franc (pronounced see-fa), int’l symbol is XOF (BCEAO)

• The current exchange rate is $1.00usd = 483 cfa
• Good website for rates:  http://coinmill.com/USD_XAF.html#USD=1CDC
• Site for Mali:  http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/mali.aspx

Information on Mali and culture:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali
• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mali
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1021454.stm

Information on Ouelessebougou:

• http://www.ouelessebougou.org/files/OuelessAtAGlance603579917.pdf

Thanks to the Mali Mission Coordinator, Christina, for providing this information!