Connected in camp--unfortunately this email access from the bush only lasted 2 weeks. I am still searching for the answer--unsolvable from Africa. So my great hopes of keeping you informed from the field were dashed.

Elders of the Behamey group of Wodaabe, Bimbia (aka Leslie) in center with Peroji in green at right.

Inspecting the potential new well for Peroji's group. At left Mogoga, chief of the neighboring well and friend of Peroji, Bimbia (aka Leslie) and Peroji. I had to disappear so they could negotiate a good price. If I were present it might double. I am waiting for the final word . I put a ceiling of $6,000 on the purchase price. It will then need to be cemented and a system of troughs put in to carry water away from the immediate vicinity to allow watering of animals without contaminating the well.

Aug 27 Food distribution at Afoukada, Tuareg festival

Nomadic festivals are a way for nomads to get together to celebrate surviving another dry season, always difficult, but this year extraordinarily so. The rains have come, but food is still so expensive, most cannot afford to buy it. We could not get millet as this is being distributed in other areas and is controlled by the government. We were able to get their second staple, semoulina. We distributed 246 60 pound sacks. The first group of recipients are at left. Sidi Mamane ( in center in white and black, the president of the association of Tuareg ADLI (meaning protect me in Tamachek) and me (Madame Fondation Nomade) in red in the middle.

The Tuareg nomadic women carrying their food away. It will then be transported to their camps by their husbands on camels.

Ehaljene School and new well

The school at Ehaljene was built four years ago by an NGO that ran out of funding. The parents of the children have managed to keep it going with their own contributions, but the water for the kids is 1.5 kilometers away. They want to have a permanent base at the school where some of the families will stay with the children, but they cannot do it without water. The same water table exists 100 yards from the school house. I committed to digging a new well and cementing it with a new system the carries the water in cement troughs away from the well at a distance so the animals can water without contaminating the well. This trough system is far less fatiguing for the nomads than carrying the water by hand to the watering troughs. The total price is $7,000. We hope to complete the work before I return to the US on Nov. 5.

There is also a dispensary there which has no medicine. I am in contact with Direct Relief International to try to remedy this situation.

Return to Afoukada

The two hour drive back to Afoukada was the best part of a really good day. As I passed through the beautiful rich grazing lands that only months ago were totally barren I saw literally dozens of camels en route to their camps in all directions with a white sack of NOMAD Foundation semoulina on their backs. Many cheered as I passed!

Aug 30 Peroji Well Purchased

We got the well! Peroji arrived in Agadez today saying the negotiations are complete and the seller of the well has agreed to a price of $6,000. I will leave Sept. 8 to see it and make sure the papers are in order. (Nomads aren't very good at bureaucracy)

Sep.1 To Aboye well and the camp of Akenan

A trip to visit the camp of Akenan in the Azouag proved challenging, the heavy rains this year have left a sea of mud/clay--my beautiful Tuareg leather sandals are somewhere in that sea.

This group has actually combined three large nomadic groups in the area to form a school. They have 61 children and have wanted to start a school for years, but have not had the chance. After meeting and electing Akenan their representative and the responsible for the school we decided to start right away. I committed to building a temporary hanger and to the teacher's salary for a year. They will each contribute a goat to feed the children. Sidi will start the application process to have the government accept the school for the school year starting fall 2006.

Sidi Mamane, our Nomad Foundation director in Niger, distributing medicine to the camp of Akenan. In this season of rains, malaria becomes a killer especially to those weakened from hunger. We always take a good supply of chloroquine, aspirin and antibiotics with us wherever we go. It can save lives.

Sep. 8 To the Tuareg festival of Assamaney

Having committed to building the school, the happy fathers of the children of Aboye escorted my car into theTuareg festival of Assamaney.

Sep.12 From the festival we continued to Perojis to try to verify rumors that the negotiations are not complete for the well. It wasn't easy. I NEED A GOOD CAR!!!!

The rains not only make it difficult to travel, but we learn that many of the animals who survived the drought were so weakened that they succumbed to diseases brought by the rain. These rains have brought a very good harvest and the best pasture that anyone has ever seen here. There are very few animals to eat it.

Sep. 15 - 20 We returned a little discouraged to Agadez, but started the work of ordering the desks, blackboards etc for Aboye school and arranging to start the well at Ehalgene.

The parents and children all want to continue the school which the government built, but then provided no teacher. The need a teacher and supplies. We see again and again how many schools and dispensaries are built and abandoned because there is not money for the teachers salaries. We agree to try to find the salary for the teacher at $1200 per year.

They had more urgent requests than the school. They live in a valley rich in water. There are more than 100 wells, but most are in danger of collapsing. They need rehabilitation. We visit dozens and get estimates for repairing them with local participation. These range from $200 to $1500

Alow has a unique situation. She is the daughter of a chief and her brother is now the chief. He has abused his power and the people, following Tuareg tradition of women chiefs have asked that she take over . She is loved and repsected because she helps everyone. Seeing that his sister was gaining too much power he refused her rights to the family well. Now she is digging her own. It will cost $3,600. I asked if she had the money. She said no but she trusts in God.

Oct 25 At Oudenin we find six wells which service gardens that the Tuareg have been working for years, but each rainy season the wells collapse and have to be redug. They lose have the growing season in redigging the wells. They want to cement six and buy six camels to haul the water our. They now have to rent a camel. This will cost $1200 per well and $400 per camel. We commit to do three and look for help for the rest.

Oct. 26-30 Everywhere we go the nomads are there to meet us. They built us a road of earth fill to cross an impassable ditch. They are, according to Sidi, motivated like never before because of this famine. They do not want to be caught unprepared again. They are getting organized and looking for ways to secure a more stable future and maintain the lifestyle that they love. We want to help them do it.

Oct. 31 We arrive at Perojis to pick up the final batch of embroidery from the women's co-op. They have finished everything and want more work. I take them some thread and fabric having no idea what I will do with the finished embroideries. Peroji has been in a real battle of negotiations about the well. Several hundred dollars in bribes later the papers are legal and it is finally his. Nothing is easy in Africa, but it is worth the fight.

Nov. 5 Back to California and the other work begins. Where will I find money to do what needs to be done. I will trust in YOU. Please help.