Our Story

I first visited Mali in 2010. I had no idea that journey would become my life’s work.

I have always loved exploring places far from the familiar. To celebrate my 50th birthday, I set out to fulfill a childhood dream: visiting the fabled city of Timbuktu in Mali. A three-day boat journey along the Niger River brought me there—and set Caravan to Class in motion.

While attending the Festival au Désert, I visited a nearby village, where the chief and his wife welcomed me warmly. When I learned that their community had no school, I committed to raising the funds to build one. Less than nine months later, I returned to classrooms filled with children learning. Seeing that school come to life made me want to help other villages in the Timbuktu region gain access to education.

Caravan to Class went on to build and support eighteen French-language elementary schools and launch an adult literacy program for mothers. Those beginnings still guide our work: listening to local communities and helping people access opportunities to shape their own futures.

In 2018, following the tragic loss of my wife, Jackie, in Africa, we launched Bourse Jackie in her honor. It began with university scholarships for young women from Timbuktu. Today, it encompasses three programs: university scholarships, English-language scholarships, and public-speaking and leadership development, together reaching young women across fourteen West African countries.

With offices in Bamako, Mali, and Accra, Ghana, our programs are led by three West African women, two of them Bourse Jackie alumnae. Their leadership reflects what I find most meaningful about this work: women who once received support are now helping others move forward.

Across the region, I have seen how much talent and ambition young women bring—and how limited their access to education, mentors, and professional networks can be. Our purpose is to help close that gap. Through Bourse Jackie, women are earning international scholarships, building careers, starting businesses, and returning as mentors and program leaders. Each achievement strengthens a network that opens doors for those who follow.

None of this would be possible without our dedicated team and the generosity of donors who believe in these women and their futures. What began with one village school has grown into a shared commitment to education, opportunity, and women’s leadership. I hope you will join us.

Sincerely,

Barry Hoffner

Founder & Director

Our first video

We have come a long way since 2010, but our mission and model remains the same.