Well of Love Drilling Begins as Children Abandon School to Search for Water

 

Dear Friends of the Azawak,

Finally, a calm moment under the cool shade of a mango tree to share with our exciting news: early this week begins the construction of the Kijigari Montessori Well of Love, dedicated to our dear late Dennis Hamilton!! Denis will travel up to the Azawak tomorrow to supervise the construction.

The mothers and children of Kijigari impatiently await pure and permanent flowing water in their home. Denis was there just two weeks ago with the construction companies and the department of hydraulics conducting last minute studies. The shallow wells dug in the dry marsh that surrounds the village had already dried, leaving no water to
drink. The children are leaving the school one by one in search for water, and the women’s garden cooperative has closed.

Our local team has already begun training the villagers, and making preparations for the election of the borehole management committee. By the end of next week, the hole for the Montessori well will be drilled, accessing water between 200 and 250 meters below the earth’s surface. We plan on equipping this hole with a pump and engine, water tower, troughs, and faucets all by the end of March, as money comes flowing in from our Heroes of Compassion and other dedicated supporters.

Since our arrival in early December, Denis and I have worked nonstop to negotiate the price of our borehole, as well as meeting with government authorities. Negotiations have been bittersweet. On the one hand, we’ve obtained a fabulous price for the drilling. On the other hand, the cost for the infrastructure (water tower, faucet, pump, etc) has soared. Stainless steel prices have increased internationally due to the global financial crisis. This has had a huge impact on the cost of paying for materials here. This financial crisis has truly paid its toll on everyone, including the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. Not only has the price for improving and saving lives risen, but even our most generous donors have not been able to contribute as much as they would like.

 

We have great faith that we’ll be able to raise the 50K we require to complete the borehole by the end of March!  Our need for funds is at a peak, and so is our effort to fundraise.  Schools across the nation are organizing A Walk for Water, all of which will take place starting this March just in time for World Water Day. We are certain to bring in several thousands of dollars to complete the borehole dedicated to their efforts.  We invite you to plan your own AWFW event using our step-by-step planning guide available as a download here. We are also making appeals to companies and individuals to match the money raised by our Heroes of Compassion.  If you would like to contribute in this way, please contact Debra Kahn, our Wells of Love program director at debbie@ammanimman.org, or send your checks, payable to Amman Imman, to:

Amman Imman: Water is Life,

7036 Strathmore St, #111

Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815

Your donation will save lives among the children of Kijigari that currently have no water to drink.  It will also help rebuild the village’s economy:  among other things, the women will be able to plant flourishing gardens, the children will attend school year-round, and the men will rebuild their livestock herds.

Denis and I will keep you updated with stories and photos so that you can experience first-hand the progress of our Montessori Well of Love.

Yours for the children of the Azawak,

Ariane Alzhara Kirtley

A Walk For Water 2010: A Step by Step Planning Guide available now!

Plans for A Walk For Water 2010 are gearing up!  So far, two Walks are confirmed.  Join The Boyd School students in Chantilly, Virginia for  their 2nd A Walk For Water on May 14, 2010.  Become part of the 4th annual A Walk For Water on May 15, 2010 on the wooded paths of Lake Frank in Derwood, Maryland where 5 schools will come together!  We've also heard from schools in Tennessee, Ohio and Florida.

Organize a Walk in your community!  Our step-by-step planning guide makes it easy!  Give your students an opportunity to be leaders in raising a voice for people who daily suffer the consequences of not having access to water.   Read stories and see photos of past walks here: A Walk For Water on the Wells of Love Blog

Raise funds to build a permanent water source in the Azawak! We will soon have A Walk For Water page on the Amman Imman website where schools can register their event.  We will provide many tools for you to use to conduct a successful and meaningful fundraiser includng Registration and Sponsorship Forms, a media kit and materials through which your students and community can learn more about the water crisis in the Azawak and how they can directly help.  You will be able to download these resources. You will also have an option to set up online registration and donation collection for your Walk, if you choose.  Contact me and I'll make sure you have these tools as soon as they are available. I am here to help!

World Water Day is March 22.  A Walk for Water would be a great opportunity to highlight the issues of water scarcity in the Sahel region, particularly in the large region of Azawak where there is barely any infrastructure.  Yet, there are solutions! Even in the most difficult of conditions, Amman Imman is working hard to create a better future for the people.

April 22 is Earth Day, another good day around which to plan A Walk For Water.  Climate change and a lengthening dry season affects the lives of the half million people in the Azawak today.  People are dying of thirst.  Walk for the children of the Azawak and alleviate their suffering!

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the children and families of the Azawak!

Start to plan your walk today.  Here's the planning guide to get you started: 
A Walk For Water Planning Guide