{"id":5550,"date":"2025-09-08T17:25:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T15:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/?page_id=5550"},"modified":"2026-01-27T02:16:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T01:16:53","slug":"the-beginnings-in-siby","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/the-beginnings-in-siby\/","title":{"rendered":"Historical background"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Idea and Founding<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HennerGunthard-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HennerGunthard-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HennerGunthard-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HennerGunthard-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HennerGunthard-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/HennerGunthard.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Henner Papendieck and Gunthard Weber at the Campus construction site<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Emerging from the long-standing commitment of Dr. Gunthard Weber, founder of the association H\u00e4user der Hoffnung \u2013 Schulbildung f\u00fcr Afrika e.V. (since 2004, goal: improving education and future prospects for children and women)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2017: Development of the idea for an agricultural vocational training center for young women in rural areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With development economist Dr. Henner Papendieck as international coordinator and agronomist Salaha Baby as national coordinator, CAAS was able to recruit two recognized experts for the establishment and further development of the project.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Campus.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Campus.jpg 819w, https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Campus-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Campus-768x960.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View into the Campus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Goals<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Practical training in agriculture and food processing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promotion of women\u2019s economic self-reliance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contribution to regional food security and sustainable development<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Funding<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Klaus Tschira Stiftung: establishment of the training center as special funding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heidehof Stiftung: funding of the health center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Private donations: enabled the establishment of 12 community gardens and two school buildings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The beginnings in Siby<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CAAS has an \u201cS\u201d in its name because of Siby: Centre Agro-Alimentaire \u00e0 Siby. Originally, the center was supposed to be built there after the Malian government offered five hectares of state-owned land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it soon became apparent that the situation was more complicated: Mali has neither a land register nor a cadastre, and many areas are encumbered with old rights of use, often passed down through generations, some dating back to pre-colonial times, some to colonial times, and some to the period since Mali&#8217;s independence. This resulted in confusing claims that could not be clarified despite intensive efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2018 and 2019, CAAS initially invested in the expansion of the campus and annex in Siby. When the conflict over the planned site came to a head, CAAS took the logical step in spring 2020 and abandoned the Siby location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meeting Kalassa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2023_Kalassa-Einweihung-Grundschule.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2023_Kalassa-Einweihung-Grundschule.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2023_Kalassa-Einweihung-Grundschule-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2023_Kalassa-Einweihung-Grundschule-768x432.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Celebration for the inauguration of the renovated elementary school<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The village of Kalassa had already contacted CAAS in 2017. A storm had blown the roof off the primary school, and with the support of the association <a href=\"https:\/\/www.haeuser-der-hoffnung.org\/de\/\">H\u00e4user der Hoffnung e.V.<\/a> (Houses of Hope), the school was rebuilt. This rapid assistance established a relationship of trust between the village and CAAS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When CAAS later sought new land for its work, Kalassa offered two plots:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>one hectare in the middle of the village for the school garden,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>five hectares of rugged terrain on the edge of the mountain, located directly on the national road.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The land was given to CAAS free of charge. In return, there was no money, but rather the prospect of support in matters of village development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the decision in favor of Kalassa, CAAS gained a permanent location that is supported by the village population. For Kalassa, the partnership meant visible improvements in the following years: employment opportunities, better schooling, a health station, a water supply, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The collaboration has proven successful for both sides and continues to form the basis of CAAS&#8217;s work to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Learn more:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/village-develop\/\"><em>&gt; Village development and integration into the region<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/health-center\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"6508\">&gt;&nbsp;Local health care: The health center<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/school-education-in-kalassa\/\"><em>&gt;&nbsp;Education as a foundation: School education in Kalassa<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Idea and Founding Goals Funding The beginnings in Siby The CAAS has an \u201cS\u201d in its name because of Siby: Centre Agro-Alimentaire \u00e0 Siby. Originally, &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Historical background\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/the-beginnings-in-siby\/#more-5550\" aria-label=\"Read more about Historical background\">weiterlesen<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5550","page","type-page","status-publish"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5550"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6654,"href":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5550\/revisions\/6654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/caas-mali.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}