Yeah Samake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Niankoro Yéah Samaké
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 February 1969 (age 56) Ouélessébougou, Mali |
| Political party | Party for Civic and Patriotic Action |
| Spouse | Marissa Coutinho-Samaké |
| Children | Keanen Carmen KianaLyn |
| Residence | Ouélessébougou |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University (MPP) |
| Occupation | Politician and President of the Party of Patriotic and Civic Action in Mali; Field Director of Empower Mali Foundation; Former Mali Ambassador to India; Former Mayor of Ouélessébougou, Mali; |
| Known for | Former Mali Ambassador to India, 2013 and 2018 Presidential candidate Mali; Mayor of Ouélessébougou; Building schools and installing solar water systems in Mali; |
| Website | empowermali.org;yeahsamake.com; |
Niankoro Yéah Samaké (born 27 February 1969) is a social entrepreneur and politician from Ouélessébougou, Mali. He is known for his work to improve communities and for his political career. Samaké served as the Malian Ambassador to India and was also the mayor of his hometown, Ouélessébougou. He has run for president of Mali multiple times.
Contents
Early Life and Education in Mali
Niankoro Yéah Samaké grew up in a large family in the small village of Ouélessébougou, Mali. His family faced many challenges, including poverty. Despite this, his father, Tiecourafing Samaké, strongly believed that all his children should get an education. This was unusual in their village, where only a small number of people went to school.
Samaké finished high school in Bamako, the capital of Mali. He then earned a bachelor's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from École Normale Supérieure of Bamako. After finishing his studies, he volunteered as a teacher in his village for three years. He also worked with the Ouélessébougou-Utah Alliance, an organization that helps improve health, education, and economic opportunities in Mali. He also worked as a guide for the Peace Corps.
Studying at Brigham Young University
Through his work, Samaké met a couple from the United States who were impressed by his dedication. They helped him come to the U.S. to continue his education. In 2000, he was accepted into Brigham Young University (BYU).
At BYU, Samaké earned a master's degree in public policy. During his time there, he also completed an internship at the United Nations. He met his wife, Marissa Coutinho, at BYU. She was from India and was also studying at the university.
Career and Political Journey
Yéah Samaké has had an active career focused on public service and improving lives in Mali.
Serving as an Ambassador
On 7 May 2015, the President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, appointed Samaké as the Ambassador of Mali to India. In this role, he was in charge of diplomatic relations with ten countries, including India, Nepal, and Thailand.
As Ambassador, Samaké worked to strengthen ties between Mali and these countries. He focused on areas like culture, agriculture, education, and solar energy. For example, he helped create scholarship opportunities for Malian students to study in India and Bangladesh. He also helped arrange for five rural Malian women to be trained in solar power in India.
On 22 January 2018, Samaké announced that he would run for President of Mali. He then left his ambassador post in India and returned to Mali.
Becoming a Mayor
Samaké became well-known in Mali for his development work. In 2009, he decided to run for Mayor of Ouélessébougou, his hometown. At that time, the city was facing challenges, including low tax collection and delayed salaries for workers.
Samaké ran on a promise to end corruption and make the government more open. He won the election with a large majority of the votes. As mayor, he significantly improved the city's finances. Tax collection rose from less than 10% to 68% in just two years. Ouélessébougou, which was once ranked very low for government management, moved into the top 10 in the country.
As mayor, Samaké also helped bring more resources to the region. He worked to build a new hospital, the first public high school, a new water pump system, and a large solar panel field. He also helped provide funds to repair and equip existing schools.
Empower Mali Foundation
In February 2013, Samaké founded the Empower Mali Foundation and became its Country Director. This organization, based in the U.S., works with rural communities in Mali. It focuses on improving education, healthcare, clean water, and clean energy.
Empower Mali aims to help communities develop lasting skills rather than just solving temporary problems. They involve the communities in planning and funding their projects. So far, Empower Mali has helped build many middle schools and water systems. They have also provided teacher housing, electric playgrounds, and a tablet program for schools.
Mali Rising Foundation
After earning his master's degree in 2004, Samaké became the Executive Director of the Mali Rising Foundation (formerly Daily Dose Foundation). This foundation works to improve education for children in rural Mali.
The Mali Rising Foundation builds schools in villages that don't have them and provides teacher training and learning materials. Through his work with the foundation, Samaké has helped build 17 schools in Mali, serving over 2,500 students.
Political Party and Presidential Campaigns
In 2011, Samaké and his supporters formed the Party for Civic and Patriotic Action (PACP). This party was created to support his presidential campaigns. The PACP focuses on values like patriotism, good citizenship, freedom, democracy, and good government.
Samaké ran for president of Mali in 2012, 2013, and 2018. He campaigned on ideas of decentralization (giving more power to local communities) and fighting corruption. He believed that building trust and participation at the local level was the best way to govern.
The 2012 election was canceled due to a military coup. In the 2013 election, he placed 16th out of 27 candidates. He ran again in the 2018 presidential elections. After losing in the first round, he supported the winning candidate, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, in the second round.
Personal Life
Niankoro Yéah Samaké is married to Marissa Coutinho-Samaké. They have three children: Keanen, Carmen, and KianaLyn. Marissa was born in Bahrain and grew up there, but she is of Indian descent.
Samaké and his family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He first learned about the church through his work with the Peace Corps. He was baptized in 2000 in New York. He has stated that he does not face discrimination in Mali because of his faith, even though Mali is a mostly Muslim country.
See also
In Spanish: Yeah Samake para niños
