Mali – The World’s 4th Poorest Country Or One of the World’s Richest Countries?
	On 19 December, I had another wonderful experience in Mali. I watched as Malian students and musicians interacted via a satellite simulcast with American students and musicians. It was fascinating & heart warming to see young people clapping and dancing to each other’s music, simultaneously, across the ocean. This was part of a program called the “Carnegie Hall Global Encounters” . The American Ambassador to Mali welcomed everyone to the event from the Bamako auditorium at the French Cultural Center. The American band from Louisiana “Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience” came to Bamako. The Malian artist Oumou Sangare went to Carnegie Hall in New York City. They took turns playing music, while students in the audience and across the ocean watched, clapped, and danced. The facilitators showed short films of Mali and Louisiana to help the students learn more about each other. Afterwards, each group of students had a chance to ask each other questions. They learned more about their cultures, religions, and likes/dislikes. American students asked what the Malian students wanted to change in Mali. Malian students responded ‘everything’, except the music. Malian students asked if American students would want to come to Mali after having experienced the simulcast. The American students were NOT ready to hop on a plane. American students spoke English, Malian students spoke English and French. American students also asked about ‘poverty’ in Mali. Malian students did respond with some of their many challenges. Then, the Malian singer Oumou Sangare said that Mali was actually very rich. Mali is rich in heart, kindness, hospitality, family, and peace. I can attest to that. Mali is very rich indeed.