August 2009
Dear donators, dear friends
At the moment there is a “lull in combat” between the Tuareg rebels and the Nigerien military. Both parties are still active. However, since the middle of the year fewer assaults were reported. The current peace let the population in the North breathe a sigh of relief; nevertheless, it does not improve the prevailing living conditions. There are still food shortages and for the Tuaregs to roam freely with their animals is in many regions simply impossible.
In Niamey, at the beginning of May, when the 70-year old president Mamadou Tandja - after nearly 10 years of power - announced his ambition for a third, unconstitutional tenure of office, the opposition threatened with resistance. In the course of the constitution referendum announced by the president, bigger towns had to face demonstrations, riots and rallies held by opponents, which were accordingly accompanied by Police actions.
Though the United Nations, America, also France and neighboring countries opposed to this constitutional amendment, Tandja showed no intention of changing his mind. The riots also influenced the Northern part of the Tuareg region and caused the peace negotiations to come to a halt. Since then chaos predominates domestic policies.
Nonetheless we had been very active with our help and realized the following projects:
Well Reconstruction „Tschinsakan“
In 2007 the top 25 meters of this well had been reconstructed and in March 2009 we continued our reconstruction work of the lower part. Despite demanding conditions the placing of the concrete rings was carried out without any major difficulties. During the reconstruction phase we relentlessly kept in touch with our well specialist and the crew. Since the work advanced steadily, we decided to entirely reconstruct Tschinsakan well.
After 2 ½ weeks and the fitting of 23 concrete rings we were able to again open the well for the local Tuareg families. Some of the workers cheerfully cooled off in the precious water, while others enjoyed a fine meal in the shade of an acacia tree. Due to the partly voluntary work of the local Tuareg we were CHF 2’000.— below budget.
Without any exceptions all of the workers had done a great job!
Without any exceptions all of the workers had done a great job!
Well Reconstruction „Aghali“
During the reconstruction work of the Tschinsakan well the Aghali Touareg family contacted us. As a matter of fact, their well was already in a rather critical state for quite some time. The walls of the well were destabilized due to washouts - an issue of the ancient method of wall construction of this area.
Our wall specialist who happened to be on-site examined the well and according to his expert report we decided to start this project and help the Aghali family.
Since we had already been engaged in the area, we were able to answer their request fast and efficiently. And because all materials were available on-site we could keep the costs low.
The fitting of four concrete rings was sufficient to prevent the well from collapsing and thus ensured the Aghali family and their animals clean drinking water.
The reconstruction costs for the Aghali well came to a total of CHF 1'029.—.
By remedial actions on the wells affected we attain a relief of some individual wells. Thereby a long-term maintenance of the vitally important water source is guaranteed. With this aspect in mind we will furthermore promote such well projects.
THANK YOU to both of you for your Engagement!
At the beginning of July, on occasion of their 60th birthday, both, my cousin Ivo and his wife Therese, celebrated their birthday anniversary at the „Lounge am See“ in Oberrieden. With a fantastic view onto the lake we enjoyed a fine meal, met many new faces and had interesting talks, which made this evening special and unforgettable. Instead of presents Ivo and Therese asked for donations and we were given CHF 900.— to support our project “Home for Children – Baran n’Gougaram”. Tuusig Dangg! (a thousand thanks).
Home for Children – Bararan n’Gougaram
At the beginning of July all children were taken home to their families for their 3-months summer holiday. All parents who had entrusted their children to our boarding school were entirely pleased, since their children did not only get education but came also home safely and well nourished.
Thank-you letters and drawings of many children reached us and we are indeed pleased with their academic progress.
All students were given new clothes. The girls are dressed in wrap-skirts and blouses and the boys in shorts and shirts. All clothes were sewn by Imbiloua Inwilli, who together with Adam Barto is responsible for the well being of the children in this project. The children were also allowed to take home their woollen blankets, due to the fact that nights in the desert can sometimes be extremely cold.
There is another most pleasing surprise! For the financing of the school year 2009/10, the canton of Basel-Town has made an allowance of CH 20’000.--. No wonder my jig must have been heard within a thousand miles! In the name of all Tuareg families and the students we would like to thank the canton Basel-Town most cordially.
We wish you all a nice summer
Anita, Mouhamed, Bea und Sandra
April 2009
Dear friends, dear donators
Spring has finally come and made the last snowy patches disappear.
For us the spring sun was deeply symbolic for the prospective peace in the North of Niger. Some of the rebels have decommissioned their weapons. Negotiations are under way with the assistance of foreign governments. Although progress advances only slowly, we are, however, confident. The Tuareg population concerned had to wait for this moment already too long.
Annual General Meeting ENMIGRAW Swiss
Our first general meeting took place in Pfäffikon/ZH, on February 7, 2009.
Our first general meeting took place in Pfäffikon/ZH, on February 7, 2009.
It was a pleasure to personally getting to know members/donators and visitors.
ENMIGRAW Suisse’s annual report was shown in the form of a picture presentation about our work, the projects realized, as well as their costs.
After the statutory part and an interesting documentary film about Tuareg midwives, we enjoyed a relaxing evening with fine food and inspiring talks.
Home for Children – Bararan n’Gougaram
Due to the political situation, all schools in the Talak area had to be closed. Since over one year 450 Tuareg children have no possibility anymore to attend classes. Though we all know how important regular education for the future of those children is.
And it was just that reason to make it the starting point for our new project. We want to make sure that despite the instable political situation the children can attend school also in the future.
The Talak valley stretches out over 80 kilometres and the families live scattered here and there. Therefore, it is impossible for the children to cover such a distance daily and besides it is also dangerous. For this very reason we have opened our „Home for Children” in Arlit in October last year.
Sales revenues of the foodstuff provide the basis for this important project. The Tuareg families affected have launched this solution themselves with the aid of ENMIGRAW Niger. Parents also supervise the pupils and care for daily hygiene, settle small disputes and inform if something of particular importance happens.
Everybody working for this project has to be versatile and also able to perform multiple tasks. For example the chef (cook), in addition, has to supervise the personal hygiene of the boys and the cleaner provides support in the kitchen. The older children’s task is to fetch their own water daily.
Currently there are 38 pupils in our care. At the beginning of July the official school year is finishing and the pupils will be taken home to their families for their 3-month summer holiday.
All parents who have entrusted their children to our boarding school are entirely pleased. Thus, for the coming school year a rising number of pupils is expected and hence we count with successively increasing costs.
With your donation/sponsorship you can help us to cover increasing costs.
Well Reconstruction „Tschinsakan“
Thanks to your sponsoring, the sales revenues of our Photo Calendar and the support from Hunger & Thirst and the Berufsschulzentrum Radolfzell , we have been able to continue our reconstruction work of the lower part of the Tschinsakan well.
The well has a depth of 70 meters. The top 25 meters had already been reconstructed in April 2007.
Since the well narrows towards the bottom, workers have no choice but to individually measure and adapt the size for each single concrete ring needed for stabilisation. A difficult and most exhausting job to be done with utmost care. At such depth everything has to be secured with ropes and due to shortage of space work can only be carried out with buckets.
To this day already 6 concrete rings could be placed and the working Tuareg are grateful that the most dangerous work at the bottom of the well has so far been carried out without any incidents. We will report about the progress of the reconstruction in our forthcoming ENMIGRAW News.
Food Supply for the Schools of Intdaynawen, Mayyet and Aragh
The school management of those nomad schools has requested our support. Despite the still ongoing rebel fights those schools are still open, although the Nigerien government has stopped food supply for the school of Intdaynawen (35 pupils), Mayyet (29 pupils) and Aragh (36 pupils).
Only by ENMIGRAW’s help can those schools remain open. We have therefore decided to support them for three months with food supply that consist of basic food such as millet, rice, peas, oil, sugar, salt and dried tomatoes. Our costs will be
CHF 875.— for Intdaynawen
CHF 1'120.— for Mayyat and
CHF 1’050.— for Aragh
We think it important that the Tuareg children can stay in their local nomad schools
CHF 875.— for Intdaynawen
CHF 1'120.— for Mayyat and
CHF 1’050.— for Aragh
We think it important that the Tuareg children can stay in their local nomad schools
In the name of the Tuarag families we would like to use this opportunity to thank you warmly.
Only with your help we had been able to carry out this project!
Only with your help we had been able to carry out this project!
In this spirit we wish you all a wonderful summer!
Anita, Mouhamed, Bea and Sandra