Africa – USA Special Friends, Singing, & Dancing An Extraordinary Event & Web Cast
	On Friday, Sept 7 from 10 -11 am ET (2-3 pm GMT), Jigiya and SANYS ‘met’ for the first time. Supported by the Peace Corps, the US Embassy in Bamako, Afribone ISP, and Expedite, the meeting was enabled by video conference technology via the Internet. It was web cast real-time, and will continue to be available on the following site for sometime. Click here to see the Webcast. Photos of the event are available by clicking here. Jigiya, a group of people with disabilities from Mali, Africa danced and sang for their new friends in New York. At the same time, about 200 people with disabilities in Albany NY sang for their new friends in Africa. For the first time, both groups saw and talked with each other live. This is a celebration of many months of collaboration and joy between them. Background Self Advocates of New York State (SANYS) ( http://sanys.org/)  is an organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities. They try to change people's perception of what people with developmental disabilities have to offer their communities and their world. SANYS has the privilege of knowing a group of people with disabilities in Markala, Mali. Their name is ‘Jigiya’. They support each other, and they manifest the strength and friendliness of Malian culture.  They have shared stories depicting the family values and community spirit so central to Mali. Members of Jigiya are inspiring with their daily acts of courage and perseverance.  To-date, Jigiya and SANYS have exchanged photos, songs, tee-shirts, and questions & answers regarding each others’ lives.  I coached Jigiya in opening a bank account. Now SANYS sends money, and Jigiya offers micro loans to its members.   With loans as little at $10, the lives of Jigiya members are being transformed.    This is the essence of the story that touches the hearts of nearly everyone who hears it. My mother even asked how she can donate money to help Malian people with disabilities. The video conference on September 7, was a special celebration of this new friendship during the SANYS Statewide Conference in Albany NY. In Bamako Mali, the American Embassy hosted Jigiya. For the first time, Jigiya and SANYS saw and spoke directly to each other. The story of Jigiya and SANYS represents progress for people with disabilities.  It also represents inter-cultural exchange and friendship.