The principle of primary education has long been established in the impoverished sub-Saharan nation of Mali, but despite official affirmations in favor of access to education, Mali still has one of the lowest rates of primary school attendance. This booklet describes the efforts of Save the Children/USA in mobilizing community support for 22 schools in rural settings. The introductory chapter describes the country of Mali and its paradoxical situation regarding education. The next chapter emphasizes how a primary school in Mali differs from all other schools in the world because it is a village school, entirely independent of the State; this is the outcome of Save the Children/USA, a non-governmental development organization. The subsequent three chapters describe the organization's role in promoting education. Adding an education element to its program involved a literacy campaign for adults, with a special emphasis on women, and providing support for primary schools. The village school was conceived as a result of the adoption of the Bangladeshi approach to basic education, which depended on complete commitment of the village communities. Beginning with 4 village schools in 1992-93, the experiment proved conclusive, and within 2 years, 50 villages had asked for the creation of a village school. The achievements of the organization discussed in the next three chapters concern: ensuring respect for the equality of sexes among the pupils, motivating national and international non-governmental organizations operating in this field in Mali, and inspiring programs initiated by the government. One of the several questions raised in the chapter entitled "Prospects for the Future" concerns the future of Mali children when they leave the village schools. Included in the booklet are descriptions of some specific features of the Mali branch of Save the Children/USA. (BAC)