POLITICS FOR US WAS A MEANS... FOR MALI -- MARISSA COUTINHO SAMAKE
Present-day Mali was once part of three West
African empires that controlled trans-Saharan
trade: the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire (for which
Mali is named), and the Songhai Empire. During its
golden age, there was a flourishing of mathematics,
astronomy, literature, and art. At its peak in
1300, Mali covered an area about twice the size of
modern-day France, and stretched to the west coast
of Africa, as the Wikipedia puts it. In the late
19th century, during the Scramble for Africa,
France seized control of Mali, making it a part of
French Sudan. And there's a Goan story tied up
there too!
Being a successful woman is a common goal. A certain prestige
comes with being successful in life. However, everyone
defines success differently. For some, it's about the money;
for others, it's about being able to do what they want to do
on a daily basis. For Marissa Coutinho Samake, it has been a
long journey as a Goan from Bahrain -- to US to Mali. She
speaks to Goanet's cybercorrespondent Remediana "Remy" Dias
about her journey and how she wants to continue making a
difference in others' lives.
RD: Tell us about yourself.
------------------------------------------------------------
I have lived a relatively blessed life. I believe my parents
gave me every opportunity to succeed. I was born in 1983 on
the tiny island of Bahrain. My parents who are both Goans,
were working there and in fact still reside there today.
Mine was small family and I have an older brother. After
finishing up high school in Bahrain, my parents were intent
on sending me for college in the US. I got accepted into
Brigham Young University and completed my Bachelor's in
Information Systems.
During my time in Utah (USA), I met my husband Yeah
Samaké. Yeah is from Mali. We have two children:
Keanen (7 years) and Carmen (5 years). In 2011,
Yeah decided to run for the Presidency in Mali. We
wanted to help bring change to one of the poorest
nations in the world and we believed we could.
We moved our entire family to Mali from the US. For me, my
family is everything, a gift from God. If the family fails,
then anything we do in life is a failure. I love to do the
things that better the lives of those around me, if even to
bring a smile for one sec. On the other hand, the one thing
that bothers me more than anything is dishonesty. The
shortness of time in life right now does not permit many
hobbies, but I love to read when I can.
RD: What has been the challenging part being the life partner
of an aspiring President of a country?
------------------------------------------------------------
I am not a politician, by any means. In fact I am everything
a politician should not be. Open and blunt. I spent much of
my professional career in management and customer relations
in the US. When Yeah became a Mayor of Ouelessebougou, Mali,
in 2009 I became the first lady of Ouelessebougou by default.
When Yeah decided to run for President in 2011, he had my
full support. But politics is something I have had to grow
into. Politics in Mali is much like it is in India and most
places in the world. Corruption is the name of the game. For
me that was my biggest challenge. Here it is so integrated in
the way of life that many do not even see it as corruption.
We had to fight being relatively new, but also competing with
politicians that had stolen money from the country for 20+
years. During our campaign, we maintained a transparency
about how our funds were used. There was a check and balance
and accountability standards that took many Malians involved
in our team off guard.
When people expect differently, they act differently. The
challenge is not force a change, it is to affect change
through example. Also to counter possible corruption, we did
all our fundraising in the US, so we did not have to answer
to special interest groups within Mali's political sphere.
However this also made it challenging and while we were
blessed to raise how much we did, we were short of the amount
needed to truly campaign in the four corners of Mali.
Nevertheless, the opportunity was amazing. I had
some amazing opportunities to meet with many women
and hear first hand their challenges. I loved
getting to meet all our youth and seeing their
drive and passion that will one day run the
country. It was amazing to watch our youth use
tablets as a new innovative way to spread the
message of change. It was refreshing to see the
youth volunteer their time for our campaign setting
up support clubs and campaigning on their own time
and dime.
When our videos played in Mali and our billboards calling for
change went on, there was a collective gasp because we said
the things many thought but were afraid to say. What we
accomplished was to sow the seed of change in the hearts and
minds of the 15 million people in Mali.
Our work does not stop here. It will continue as we continue
to work with our foundation Empower Mali to build schools and
bring access to electricity and water to all parts of Mali.
Actions speak louder than words and we hope that if
we continue to do what we are doing, the more
people will see the change that is possible and
desire it enough that their vote cannot be bought.
When I look around me, I see so much need. If I am
having a bad day, I remind myself that someone out
there has it worse. We can all make a difference
if we give just a little of ourselves. I have
found myself and my family blessed by the work we
are doing in Mali. My success is defined by the
impact I can have on those around me who inturn
impact me and my growth.
RD: How have you changed as a person after getting married to
Yeah Samake?
------------------------------------------------------------
You know when I think about it, I really would not be here,
having these experiences if I had not married my husband
Yeah. The last 10 years I have the opportunity to learn a new
culture and language. I have been opened up to a different
way of life in a different place.
Marrying a man like Yeah, a man who wanted to serve
his people has taught me how to be a better person
and try and make a difference no matter what level
of resources I may have. Politics for us was a
means to an end. The end was a better life for
Malians, and the only way we saw to make a large
scale impact was through Yeah's role as first Mayor
and we had hoped ultimately as President.
I am proud of the fact that we were able to make this
journey. I am proud that we can say we ran a clean race and
an honest campaign. But most of all I am proud of my husband
for putting his people above himself and my family for being
able to adapt and adjust. I am also simply proud of my state
-- Goa. I am proud of the hardworking people in Goa. One
day I will return with my family and show them my heritage
and my beautiful state.
-------------------------------------------------------------
[FOOTNOTE: Malians were scheduled to vote in a two poll race
on April 29, 2012. However, the 2012 presidential election
failed to happen due to a military coup d'état that overthrew
the Malian government. Elections were rescheduled for July
28, 2013. Samake was a candidate in the 2013 Malian
presidential election. In the first round of voting he
placed 16th out of 27 candidates, receiving 0.56 per cent of
the vote. Niankoro Yeah Samake (b 1969) has been described
as a social entrepreneur and politician from Ouelessebougou,
Mali. He is the executive director of the Empower Mali
Foundation, the current mayor of Ouelessebougou, and Vice
President of Mali's League of Mayors.]
Contact the writer: rodrigr...@yahoo.com
