Jill DeVore is a retired school teacher who has been involved with Medicine for Mali since its inception in 2000. Medicine for Mali was created by her husband, Dr. Stephen DeVore and her daughter, Elise DeVore Berlan, MD, MPH. In 2000, Elise was a 4th year medical student at the University of Iowa and had received a scholarship to spend the spring of that year working in rural Mali. After working in a remote village for weeks, Elise sent this message to her father; “Can you bring some medicine? I can’t be a doctor without medicine.” Dr. Stephen DeVore accepted the mission and Medicine for Mali has provided life-saving medical services, developmental aid, public health services and education opportunities for over 8,000 Malians living in a remote community.
Unfortunately, Dr. Stephen DeVore passed away in 2008 but Jill has taken up the charge to continue the work for the people of Mali. Jill is Vice-President of Medicine for Mali and she oversees the Public Health and Education programs. She is very involved with fundraising as everyone involved with Medicine for Mali work on a volunteer basis. Jill says that she is “a shy person so this has stretched me to new dimensions.” With Jill working with the fundraising, Medicine for Mali is able to provide medical supplies, new books, teaching aids, improved school facilities, clean water distribution and the drilling of wells, and more.
Jill says that she has a strong support system in her 4 children (Elise, Laura, Christine, and Jay) and their spouses. “They aid me tremendously in encouragement, proofreading, idea generating, thoughtful analysis and correction where needed, technical skills, and artistic skills just to name a few.” Jill also says that in Mali, their Malian director inspires her with continued problem solving and the ability to diplomatically get people to work together. “In addition his vast knowledge of what will really help these people improve their lives is inspirational.”
Jill also volunteers with her church, Bexley Methodist Church in various projects. Her activities in the local community have inspired local organizations to help Medicine for Mali as well. Bexley Methodist Church donated 2 scholarships for top students to go to high school. The Transition Network of Central Ohio and Altrusa of Central Ohio have also collected school supplies to encourage girls to stay in school and do well on tests.
Going forward, Jill says that Medicine for Mali will continue to fund raise and direct programs in Mali. “Even with the turmoil in Mali the last 2 years, all our programs are continuing all year long whether we come to visit or not. That is extremely important to me and shows the value of our work and the competency of all the Malians who work with us, mainly as volunteers also.” For more details about Medicine for Mail, please visit www.medicineformali.org.