Kaniaka, Mali
Source of the Living Water
Located in the desert north of Mali, a ministry named “Source of the Living Water” might seem, well, out of place. But Dr. Issaka Poudiougo hopes the name in itself triggers curiosity among a predominantly Muslim population.
“The modus operandi of the ministry is based on the Gospel of proximity,” Issaka said.
Source of the Living Water is based in the village of Lakanguemou, some 500 kilometers from Mali’s capital, but only 3 kilometers from the southern border of Mauritania. The needs in this remote area are vast and providers are few.
The ministry cares for the physical body through general medicine and psychiatry, but also works to provide for the social and spiritual needs of the people.
Issaka is involved in the lives of many population groups, including adolescent drug addicts, couples dealing with relationship issues and prisoners in need of health and hope. He even runs regional soccer tournaments to witness to youth.
About the ministry:
Name: Sources of the Living Water
Location: Kaniaka, Mali
Director: Dr. Issaka Poudiougo
Partnership: 2019-present
Staff: 5
My mission:
“To bring health access to the area, alleviating the suffering of populations in terms of health by offering them quality care at an affordable cost, and to create a climate to present the good news of Jesus.
Why I love being a director:
“To better realize the vision that God gave me, and to frame our projects by coordinating our different activities in the spirit of that vision.”
About Mali:
Population: 20.1 million
Size: 1.2 million sq. km, or about twice the size of Texas
Capital: Bamako
Borders: Senegal and Mauritania to the west; Algeria to the northeast; Niger to the east; Guinea, Côte D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso to the south.
Religious groups: Muslim, 93.9%; Christian, 2.8%
Primary language: French
Literacy (age 15+): 35.5%
Physician density: 0.13 doctors per 1,000 people.
Population below international poverty line: 42.1%
Life expectancy: 62.0 years
Infant mortality rate: 62.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Major exports: Cotton, gold, livestock.
Climate: Subtropical to arid; hot and dry from February-June; rainy, humid and mild from June-November; cool and dry from November-February.
Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in the south; rugged hills in the northeast.