about us
A Child For All (ACFA) is a dedicated US-based nonprofit committed to the holistic development of vulnerable children in Mali.
Through comprehensive programs encompassing education, safe shelter, nutrition, and healthcare, the organization empowers vulnerable children to reach their full potential. By providing a nurturing and supportive environment, ACFA ensures that every child receives the essential tools and opportunities needed to thrive and build a brighter future.
ACFA BEGINNINGS
MEET our founder
Kadiatou Fatima Sidibe
FOUNDER & CEO
Kadiatou was born and raised in Bamako, Republic of Mali by a single father. She earned a Masters in Statistics and Economics from the Moscow University of Statistics and Economics in 1994, an MBA with concentration in Non Profit Organization Management from the George Washington University in 2008, and an MS in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University in 2012. She served in the United States Navy as a Supply Corps Officer for over 20 years. She has always wanted to do something to help Malian orphans and vulnerable children, and founded A Child For All to materialize her dream.
When I was growing up in Bamako, Mali, we were relatively better off than many. My father used to take both my brother and I on a motorcycle. All of Bamako knew us and we were referred to as "The elder Sidibe and his two children on a motorbike".
We often saw children begging for food on the street. I used to say to myself "Why don't they go to school instead of being on the street?” As I grew older, I realized that you don't just go to school because you want to. You have to be able to afford it: you have to have a roof above your head, food in your stomach, clothes to be decent, be healthy, money to pay for your schooling and parents who can take care of you.
ACFA was incorporated in March 2008 during my final year of the MBA program while still serving in the US military. The financial crisis at the time made it very difficult to raise funds for the children. By January 2010, we had a Board of Directors but with only less than $5,000 in the ACFA account, we certainly didn’t have enough funds to take in children.
But again, the lives of vulnerable children don’t wait and I had to do something. In February 2010, I went to Bamako, Mali and asked my father to donate his house for the purpose of opening a home for vulnerable children. He had already retired, and being the great man he was, he happily agreed. So he moved to his farm and I used my own savings to renovate the house. I came back to the US and announced to the Board that we no longer had to worry about paying rent. Thus, in June 2010, my father's 3 bedroom house, where I grew up, became Bamako Children’s Home for ACFA and we welcomed our first 11 little vulnerable children.
In 2020, we expanded to five acres in the village of Zorokoro and created the Zorokoro Children’s Complex. In 2024, when the first group of children graduated from the ACFA program, we closed the site at my childhood home, the Bamako Children's Home. Today, all of ACFA’s activities take place at the Complex in Zorokoro, and we are able to welcome many more vulnerable children.
-Kadiatou
our partners
our operations team in mali
Zoumana Bagayoko
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Zoumana Bagayoko has managed ACFA’s daily operations in Mali since the organization’s inception in 2008. Zoumana’s duties include daily administrative management, implementing the Board of Directors’ policies and reporting back to the Board on matters that require input, managing finances and human resources, and working closely with local partner organizations and official authorities. Zoumana additionally manages the finances of the Malian operations while working closely with ACFA’s various staff members. Zoumana holds a Master’s degree in Information System Management from the University of Bamako and a Professional Certificate in Banking Technology.
Yacouba Siaka Togola
operations manager
Yacouba Togola has assisted in managing ACFA's operations for over 9 years, first running the Bamako Children's Home, and later assisting in running both the Bamako Children's Home and the Zorokoro Children's Complex. With a Social Work Technician diploma and a degree in Human Resources Management, he has overseen the staff in both locations, and has formed relationships with the children and attended to the needs of these vulnerable children in several ways. His recent promotion to Operations Manager is concentrated on the success of bringing the Zorokoro Children's Complex to the next level.
mali staff
Aminata Diarra, Assistant Cook
Sétou Diarra, Child Care Mother
Nièba Coulibaly, Child Care Mother
Tenimba Traore, Child Care Mother
Mariam Issa Koné, Child Care Mother
Maimouna Diarra, Child Care Mother
Educators
Kadiatou Bengaly, Kindergarten Teacher
Mariam Samake, Kindergarten Teacher
Farima Coulibaly, Kindergarten Teacher
Sekou Diakite, Primary Teacher
Seydou Togora, Primary Teacher
US support
TBD, Grant Writer
Rebekah Sipe,Communications Support
Board of Directors
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Rebecca Gelinas is a fundraising operations professional with more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit arena. After working for several years in the museum and international aid sectors, she began her own consulting firm, Rebecca Gelinas Consulting, in 2014. In this role she advises NGOs on donor CRM strategies and best practices, and also manages a small team that provides gift entry and other data services for nonprofit organizations. Rebecca holds a BA degree in Political Science from Illinois State University and an MA in Human Rights Practice from University of Arizona. She lives in Arlington, VA, with her husband Robert and their 8 rescue animals.
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Nikia Pounds is a seasoned C-Level Executive with over two decades of experience in Human Resource Management. Her expertise is centered on building and enhancing HR infrastructures and formulating strategic policies and procedures. Her professional scope includes organizational development, executive leadership, change management, wellness program implementations, classification and compensation, professional development, and employee relations. Nikia holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Administration from Hampton University and has enhanced her professional credentials with two prestigious HR certifications: Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).
She has effectively led Human Capital Management divisions across various sectors, including local government contracting, international manufacturing, and IT startups. Nikia is deeply committed to community service, actively participating in local nonprofit organizations and serving on local boards.
Throughout her career, Nikia has demonstrated a profound commitment to excellence and community engagement, establishing herself as a distinguished figure in the realms of business and volunteerism.
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Vernon Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) based in Washington, DC. He supports Accounting Firms as a consultant in accounting, auditing, risk management and audit quality matters. He is licensed in Washington, DC. Vernon currently works for Johnson Global Advisory as a Director. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Berea College (in Berea, KY) and a master’s in business administration (MBA) from Eastern Kentucky university (in Richmond, KY). Vernon is married to Daphne, and they have 3 children ages 13(Son), 11(Daughter), and 9(Son). Vernon was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa and immigrated to the USA in 1999. His interests include improving and developing the lives of people and communities in need around the world, traveling, and outdoor grilling.
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Kadiatou was born and raised in the Republic of Mali, in
West Africa. She earned a Masters in Statistics and
Economics from the Moscow Institute of Economics and
Statistics (MIES) in Russia, in 1994, a master’s in business
administration concentrating in Management of Non-Profit
Organizations from the George Washington University
(GWU) in 2008, and an M.S. in National Resource Strategy
from the National Defense University in 2012.
Separated from her mother from age 3 to 26, Kadiatou lived the first 18 years of her life
in the Republic of Mali raised by a single father. She was haunted by the memories of
children living and begging in the streets. During her childhood, she mostly experienced
vulnerability, when her father, was away to pursuit his doctorate degree. That’s when the
girl who ranked number one in the entire country, saw her grades decline leading to
having to repeat an academic year. Grown up, Kadiatou wanted to give back, by
supporting orphans and vulnerable children. Her dream was not only to take vulnerable
children from the streets, but to provide them with all the tools they need for a fulfilled
life. Having experienced the difference between having the care, love and supervision of
a parent, and lacking them, Kadiatou founded A Child For All Inc. (ACFA), to ensure
that orphans and vulnerable children are afforded a safe and loving environment, which
fosters their health, learning, happiness, success, and a seamlessly transition into their
adult life.
In 2021, Kadiatou retired after 25 years of a US Navy career as a logistics officer, to
focus on ACFA. She brings invaluable experience including diversified team
management, logistics operations across the globe, budget management and non-profit
management.
ACFA provides shelter, education, health care and nutritious food to the vulnerable
children of Mali. In 2020, ACFA expanded its programs to more children with the
opening of the Zorokoro Children Complex, now supporting over 166 children and more
than 1000 adults through sport, education, literacy, health care, and income generating
activities.
Since its inception, Kadiatou has managed and overseen ACFA multiple projects and
programs ensuring adequate implementation of board policies.
Watch Kadiatou and our board speak about ACFA.
