February 2012

Dear friends, dear donators

While Switzerland is currently dealing with snow and cold, the Nigerian government has to deal with the consequences of the Libyan war.
Thousands of migrant workers have returned from war-torn Libya to threir families in Niger. Trade has been abandoned and economy suffers. In addition, manyTuareg families have to manage without the so essential money from their men working abroad.
In the reception camp Dirkou the refugees are provided with emergency packets and a very small starting capital. This proves to be a logistical and financial problem for the young government that the rest of the world is oblivious to. The press only highlights freedom and democracy of the „Arab Spring“ and everything beyond gets lost in the banner headlines.
 

Despite all difficulties our work advances well and we support the Tuareg families as best as we can.

Benches for „Gougaram“ Elementary School

The ten benches have finally arrived in Gougaram and the pupils are happy having no longer to sit on the cold floor.

During the process of organising the transport, the Department of Education had called on ENMIGRAW Niger to inquire if further benches were needed. „Absolutely“ we replied and therefore 35 benches had finally been delivered to this school.

 
The joy among the children was so immense that they helped carrying the new benches into their school.
 

Obviously the government closely observes and approves our work in this region.

Well "Halima" in Azawagh

This well was reconstructed within two months. As always the working crew had done a great job and the locals had actively supported their work.

The donkey cart was a great help to transport all necessary material, such as sand, big stones and water to the construction site. Iron reinforcements had to be properly shaped and fitted and finally fixed with  concrete. 25 concrete rings now prevent the well from washouts or collapsing.

Thanks to the well attuned working team the entire reconstruction
was takled successfully and without any problems.
The costs for this well reconstruction amounted to CHF 9‘027.-

Nomad School „Tschinsakan“ in Azawagh

We have realised the mat hangar and also provided the entire school material. Some of the  necessary mats were produced by „our“ women –  support in form of interrelated cooperation. 
Finally, the walls had been painted with oil (black streaks), in order to spoil the appetite of  those greedy goats. In the meantime, the teacher has finished his studies (one month) in Agadez as required by the Ministry of Education. He is now going back to stay with his family in Azawagh and will start teaching the ABC without delay.

Next week we will get the big blackboard together with a further box of school material.

Lots has to be done still, such as organising meals for the children, furnishing the kitchen, as well as providing enough wood. The water will be fetched with canisters from a neighbouring well.

Due to droughts, two families have left and live now in the winter camp, because their animals had not found enough food. They will return as soon as the rainy season in July/August starts.

The nomad school now begins with 16 children and we will keep you posted about its development.

A big THANK YOU for your support from all of us, as well as all Tuareg families from Talak and Azawagh.