Post literacy is defined as the process of helping neo-literates utilize their new knowledge and skills to develop the community and environment.[11] Post literacy efforts in Mali revolve around the idea of functional literacy which focuses on making practical applications of new literacy skills.[11] Functional literacy allows Malians to use their skills for community and national development.[2] Institutions such as the National Directorate of Functional Literacy and Applied Linguistics have been major proponents of providing adequate avenues for Malian neo-literates to practice their new skills.[11] For example, in one specific campaign for neo-literates in the 1990s, the number of neo-literates doubled to 60,282 in a four year span.[11]