On November 4, 2026, Malian President General Assimi Goïta led the celebration of the National Day of Orphans at the Palace of Koulouba. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister, Health and Social Development Minister Colonel-Major Assa Badiallo Touré, and the President of the National Transition Council. The ceremony marked the commemoration of the National Day of Orphans, observed annually on October 31.
The Director-General of the National Office for Malian Orphans (ONAPUMA), Koné Sissi Odile Dakouo, and parents of the orphans were also in attendance. During the ceremony, Minister Touré expressed her gratitude to President Goïta for his support and care towards the nation's orphans. She recalled the inauguration of the Orphans' Home on June 7, 2026, and outlined the government's actions under the triptych of honoring, supporting, and accompanying the orphans.
Minister Touré stated that 110 orphans are currently pursuing university studies and are competitive both nationally and internationally. However, she emphasized the need for more efficient frameworks to support the orphans. The Minister encouraged the children to work hard, assuring them of the government's and ONAPUMA's support to help them achieve their goals and write a bright future for Mali.
President Goïta then distributed orphan cards, bank cards, and school kits, including computers, to the orphans. The orphans' spokesperson, Oumou Koné, expressed their appreciation to the President for his affection and support, which they described as that of a family. She thanked him for the lunch provided during the celebration and presented him with a gift on behalf of her peers.
As part of the celebration, the orphans took a guided tour of the Presidential Palace with President Goïta, followed by a family photo. According to the President's statement, the government's efforts aim to ensure that each orphan evolves with dignity, recalling those who fell for the nation, guaranteeing access to education, healthcare, and a decent living environment.
Colonel-Major Assa Badiallo Touré indicated that the government is committed to providing a durable presence until the orphans' professional insertion. The Minister's speech highlighted the significance of the National Day of Orphans, which serves as a reminder of the nation's responsibility towards its most vulnerable members.
The event concluded with a sense of hope and renewed commitment to supporting Mali's orphans. Key aspects of the celebration included the distribution of essential items, a tour of the Presidential Palace, and an expression of gratitude from the orphans to President Goïta.
Key points
- President Goïta attends National Day of Orphans ceremony, promises support for children who lost parents.
- 110 orphans are currently pursuing university studies in Mali.
- The government has inaugurated an Orphans' Home and provides various forms of support to the children.
