Paul Sanogo: Rebuilding Ancient Ruins… in Mali

As the grandson of the first evangelist among the Senoufos, Paul was enrolled in a Christian school in Somaso. After a few years, due to political changes, the school was forced to close. But the seed of the Kingdom had already been sown in Paul’s heart.

After becoming a teacher, he returned to the Lord in the 1970s, haunted by a verse: “Make the most of your time! Ephesians 5:16.”

With his memories of the Christian school deeply rooted in his heart, he longed for other children to have that same privilege. Convinced of his calling, he joined JEM-Mali in 1989 with a single goal: to establish a school where the values of the Gospel would be lived out.

In 1992, his friend Noé Kamaté, a teacher, joined him. Together they would lead this effort, supported by the YWAM team in Koutiala, for seven years. Meanwhile, Paul took courses at the University of the Nations in Christian education and leadership.

In 1996, Samuel College opened with three classes and 96 students. Significant support for the construction of the buildings came from Switzerland and France through youth groups from Neuchâtel, St-Blaise, Château-d’Oex, Guebwiller, and the DTS of YWAM Burtigny, led by Charles Tramaux.

Today, nearly 1,000 students—66% of whom come from Muslim families—are being educated in the values of the Kingdom. The icing on the cake is that Samuel College has achieved the highest test scores in its region.

Thank You, Lord, for Your grace, Your provision, and Your support for Your children throughout the world.