The differences between French, Mali's national language, and local languages have caused many problems in education.[1] Access, geographic location, gender bias, and the quality of education are also issues that many Malians face.[2] Food, nutrition, disease, disability, and educational inefficiencies contribute to some of the problems with education in this country.[3][4][5] Nevertheless, there have been many domestic and foreign initiatives to confront some of these issues.[6][7] Additionally, foreign policies, such as those in the United States and France, and community initiatives, such as the mobilization of animatrices, have developed Malian education.[4][16][8]