Breaking the Fast: Scouts and Guides of Mali Assisting Muslims During Ramadan
Every year as the Muslim holy month approaches, the Scouts and Guides of Mali meet to organize the food distribution through their Opération Ramadan Charity (ORACHA) initiative. 2024 was no exception as the initiative was held for the 9th consecutive year.
The ORACHA initiative was born in hospitals where family members who were constantly at the bedside of their unwell relatives, found it difficult to find the time to break their daily fast. The National Organisation of Muslim Scouts of Mali saw the need to support these families by distributing water, tea, dates and other nutritive food cooked by themselves. Even after the merger and creation of the Association of Scouts and Guides of Mali, the initiative has continued to expand throughout the country.
The Association also reaches out to motorists who rush onto the expressway to return home before breaking the fast. The evening rush on the road often leads to traffic jams and unfortunately also to accidents, delaying their return home. Scouts of all programme sections position themselves near strategic locations to enable as many people as possible to benefit from the initiative.
Over 200 scouts and guides are deployed nationwide. Operations are coordinated from distribution points and receive constant support from the national operation coordination office in the event of provision shortages.
ORACHA is mainly funded by the Scouts but also receives finance and in-kind support from the local population. The initiative is widely appreciated, and has helped the Association to benefit from more visibility through appearance on Malian national television. Numerous organizations and companies have found inspiration from it including the Muslim Scouts of Côte d’Ivoire who this year also celebrated their third edition of ORACHA.
In addition to Muslim values of charity, this operation also aligns with the Scout Law and Promise to always serve others and to be useful to society. Next year, to continue this momentum of solidarity, the Association of Scouts and Guides of Mali are planning to also benefit Christian populations fasting during Lent. For more information and to learn about their initiative, visit their dedicated Facebook page and show support to enable them to continue their actions next year.
