There are about six and a half million kids living in Mali, a landlocked country in the west of Africa where most of the land in desert, particularly in the north. In fact 38.3% of the entire population of the country is aged 14 yrs or younger and most live in poverty, with Mali being one of the poorest countries in the world. Education is compulsory and free for Mali kids (although books and pens are not) for the first three years, however enrolment figures are poor as working to help support the family is seen as a higher priority especially for girls where education is classed as an unnecessary distraction from household chores. (Recent figures suggest that over 700,000 Mali kids under the age of 15yrs are economically active). Boys are trafficked from Mali to the Ivory Coast where they work on cotton and cocoa plantations whilst girls are similarly trafficked there mainly for domestic servitude. It is estimated that over 15,000 Mali kids are sold into such labour every few years.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is still widespread in Mali, especially in rural areas, and is normally under taken before girls are six years old. Kids in Mali can marry when they are 18 for girls and 21 for boys, although girls can marry under the age of 15 with parental or court consent, and there have been some instances of girls as young as nine getting married. A number of these girls die due to engaging in sexual activity that their bodies aren't mature enough to cope with. This video shows some Mali kids taking an interest in local tourists. Its fairly short but we enjoyed it so decided to include it in our Mali pictures collection.