Building Bridges of Peace and Friendship

Thanks to your help, over the past ten years, we have brought water to over 100,000. We’ve helped thousands of families eat three meals a day (topped with vitamin-filled vegetables :-)), and hundreds of children attend school. And thanks to you we have built bridges of friendship and understanding so crucial in today’s world. 

Wishing you and your family a joyous and peaceful New Year! 
Please consider making a tax-deductible year-end donation to Amman Imman: www.ammanimman.org/donate. 

Your donation is tax-deductible: www.ammanimman.org/donate

Give the Gift of Health

Dear Friends and Devoted Supporters,

Amman Imman continued to build resiliency among our communities in 2015, with a special focus on food security, revenue generation, and health projects. We are particularly proud of our new health extensions program, which currently serves 13,000 people.

We would like to grow our health program in 2016 by providing additional treatment and hiring additional qualified staff to increase our prevention campaigns. We will focus most especially on nutrition education to prevent malnutrition and curb anemia. We plan on extending our reach to an additional 10,000 people and increase our impact by over 25%. You can help!

We thank you for your continued support as we ramp up our operations to help more people in 2016!

 

With wishes of love and peace, and gratitude,

Ariane, the entire Amman Imman team and our Azawak communities




Please support Amman Imman on #GivingTuesday

Help us make the next 10 years even better. 

Donate Today Here

Thank you for believing in our mission to serve the world’s most vulnerable.

We’ve helped thousands of families in Niger’s Azawak region eat three meals a day (topped with vitamin-filled vegetables!), and hundreds of children attend school. And thanks to you we have built bridges of friendship and understanding so crucial in today’s world.

While ignorance and hatred grows around the globe today, your compassion has been an essential message of peace between worlds that would otherwise not have had the opportunity to meet, understand and care for one another.

Your donation will support water and food security, health projects, and education initiatives in the Azawak. 

Please....Support Amman Imman.

Mothers and fathers in the Azawak know that it is thanks to the compassion of mothers and fathers like them in the West that they have food to feed their children. Thanks to our Wells of Love students, children in the Azawak know that young people in the West believe in their future and want them to succeed.

We thank you, our donors, our students, our volunteers, and our communities, for allowing us to be a vector for humanity.

Amman Imman Villages: Join the Journey

Written by our volunteer: Alicia Russo

Have you heard the saying that someone was “in the right place at the right time”? Well, in simple terms, that is exactly how Amman Imman: Water is Life (AI) began. The story of the organization’s founding is truly inspiring, and the impact that it has had globally since its inception is remarkable.

It has been quite a journey to say the least, and we want to share it with you. None of our work would be possible without the support of our followers. So we hope you will join us as we embark on a special blog series, where we will dive into deep discussions revealing the unique cultures of our African communities and the advances made in each community thus far.

To our consistent followers, we hope that by tuning into this blog series you will feel even more connected with our communities and projects than you do at this very moment. To those of you just joining our efforts, prepare yourselves for what we know will be a heartfelt and inspiring ride. It is our hope that all of you will find encouragement through this series, and that you are reminded of the incredible difference your support is making in the lives of AI’s African communities.

Please join us on the last Wednesday of every month from now until Spring 2016 as we uncover the complete story of Amman Imman’s journey as a humanitarian nonprofit organization. As aforementioned, in each blog post we’ll be exploring AI’s African communities individually, telling stories of the locals that have been shared with us during our time in the field. We’ll cover success stories and explain advancements made in each community, as well as outline what is to be expected in the future. At the end of each post we’ll highlight what the upcoming post will cover, as is done below.

With such diversity across our communities, and so many ongoing projects, this blog series is a big task, but we’re happy to tackle this challenge for you, our dedicated supporters. It is because of you that over 100,000 lives have been saved in the Azawak. Imagine what the future will hold. So please join us in our celebration of what has already happened and what is to come.

We will jump start this series in this post by briefly describing the founding of Amman Imman: Water is Life, for those who are unfamiliar with the story. After all, it is only proper to start a journey at its beginning.

Amman Imman was founded in 2006 by Ariane Kirtley, a young scholar at the time. Ariane happened to be in the right place at exactly the right time. That place was West Africa, where she was conducting research for her Fulbright. Her research assistant was from the Azawak region – a region completely unfamiliar to Ariane at the time - and he begged Ariane to visit his community to see the devastating water crisis his people were facing.

While she received an honored greeting, she was appalled not only by the obvious water crisis, but also the extremely poor living conditions and intense lack of health care throughout the region. Ariane was distraught, and downright worried about the future of these communities and their rich cultures. Sadly, mortality was commonplace in this region. Ariane’s mindset was, and always has been, if a culture is allowed to disappear through neglect or oppression, humanity will lose an irreplaceable treasure. And so Amman Imman was born, and our team has worked tirelessly to empower and preserve Africa’s vulnerable indigenous peoples. Over the years, AI has flourished, and Ariane has grown from a young scholar to one of the world’s top humanitarians. You can learn more about Ariane and AI’s creation here.

Initially serving only one community with the construction of a single borehole, Amman Imman has built five boreholes in the Azawak plains of Niger, providing a safe and secure water source to five communities, as well as nomads from outlier regions. The five communities benefiting directly from AI’s work are Tangarwashane, Tchinwangari, Kijigari, Ebagueye, and Couloubade. Amman Imman has a vision to expand into more communities and help all 500,000 people in the Azawak. It is only with your help that this will be possible.

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One of the most meaningful facets of Amman Imman’s work is that it is literally preserving the rich cultures found in the African communities that it works with. Two cultures dominate AI’s African communities – Tuareg and Wodaabe Fulani. Amongst the roughly 7.3 billion people that walk the earth today, there are estimated to be only about six million Fulani peoples and one million Tuareg peoples. Considering this, AI’s dedication to saving the lives of the over half a million Tuareg and Fulani peoples in the Azawak is truly a necessary commitment.

Tune in on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 to learn more about the Tuareg and Fulani cultures. We’ll share details about specific cultural traditions, fascinating rites of passage, captivating folklore, and more.

PRESS RELEASE: 9th Annual “A Walk for Water” Draws Newly-Named Nigerien Ambassador

For Immediate Release   

Media Contact: Debra Kahn, Debbie@ammanimman.org, 240-418-1143, www.ammanimman.org, photos here.

           

9th Annual “A Walk for Water” Draws Newly-Named Nigerien Ambassador

~ A Walk for Water Engages Youth as Global Leaders ~

Silver Spring, MD – The new Ambassador of Niger, Her Excellency Professor Hassana Alidou

(l-r) Mr. Rilla, Alphadi, Lucy Billings, Hadesh Walet, Kamel Zennia,
 Her Excellency Ambassador Alidou, Ariane Kirtley, Debra Kahn

marked history by attending a grassroots event with American students and families. “A Walk for Water” on May 16, 2015 was one of Her Excellency’s first public appearances since she established her office the week prior at the Nigerien embassy in Washington DC. Alphadi, famous Nigerien fashion designer known as the “Magician of the Desert”, accompanied Her Excellency. The event raises funds to benefit Niger’s most vulnerable populations. It links students of the global north and the global south, offering a hand of friendship to Muslim populations in danger of falling under the influence of extremists.

Getting ready to Walk for Water!

Attended by about 200 people, “A Walk for Water” was co-sponsored by nonprofit Amman Imman and the John F. Kennedy HS in Silver Spring, Maryland. Amman Imman: Water is Life, based in Silver Spring, hosts Walk for Water events annually in collaboration with the many schools with which it partners. The grassroots organization is one of the only humanitarian groups working in the Azawak Valley, a region the size of Florida that straddles Mali and Niger.  For the past decade, a severe and lengthening drought, extreme poverty, and growing insecurity has continued to erode communities in the Azawak, one of West Africa’s most inaccessible and impoverished regions.

Our special guests enjoy the nomad tent

The 5K Walk events symbolize the long journeys—up to 35 miles daily for some—that many children in the Azawak have had to take to find water for their families. Since 2006, Amman Imman has drilled five sustainable sources of clean water called borehole wells in Niger. The organization also works with villages to lead other essential development activities, such as setting up cereal banks and community gardens, managing vaccination campaigns, distributing mosquito nets, providing school supplies, building community stores, and offering food aid and training in a variety of relevant income-generating skills especially focused on empowering women.

This 9^th edition of “A Walk for Water” was framed by an African cultural festival with live music

Tuareg Tea

from Africa and hands-on activities. Participants had the unique experience of visiting a nomad’s tent and sipping Tuareg tea. They heard the sound of the tende, a traditional Tuareg drum played by women. Children wrote their names in the ancient alphabet of Tiffinagh and made friendship bracelets for the children of the Azawak. Festival go-ers visited the marketplace where regional artisan’s jewelry and crafts were sold.

Ambassador Alidou emphasized the students’ impact, “For us it is an honor to be with you again celebrating another year of solidarity with the people of Niger. Water is about life. So you can imagine what you give to so many people through the work that Amman Imman does in Niger. Each time that you see youth reaching out to other youth…it is very, very powerful -- we know that peace is going to sink in across the rivers, across the desert, and across the ocean.”

Ariane Kirtley, Amman Imman’s founder and director, in the United States directly from Niger, also

Ariane, Debbie and students

attended the event as the keynote speaker. Ms. Kirtley encouraged the students to continue developing their compassion and leadership because the word needs them: “You are powerful…Not only do you save lives, you also bring peace….Children in the Azawak understand that students in America care about them.  And that’s a huge powerful message in this time when extremism undermines the security of so many nations.”   

Although Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett who was scheduled to attend the event could not be there, his proclamation declaring May 16 “A Walk for Water Day” in Montgomery County was read. “I urge our residents to learn about the suffering caused by water scarcity and the efforts to alleviate that condition,” proclaimed Mr. Leggett.

Musicians Kamel Zennia from Algeria and Hadesh Walet from Mali shared their music.

Playing the tende

Poet/educator Andrew Kutt sang his hit, “May the Water Flow” written for the people of the Azawak. Singer/songwriter Lucy Billings traveled from Tennessee to sing “Carry the Water”, highlighting the plight of women and girls worldwide. Ghanian Michael Kweku Owusu of Drumming Up From Poverty lead a drum circle. Other partners included the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.

On "A Walk for Water"

Hadesh Walet sings a song
for the Azawak

International Humanitarian Inspires Youth to Take Compassionate Action

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2015.   

Contact: Debra Kahn, Amman Imman: Water is Life Associate Director, 240-418-1143,debbie@ammanimman.org International Humanitarian Inspires Youth to Take Compassionate Action

~ Amman Imman’s Founder Ariane Kirtley speaks at John F. Kennedy High School ~

Who: Amman Imman: Water is Life’s Founder and Executive Director Ariane Kirtley is in the Washington, DC area, just back from Niger, the poorest nation on Earth, and also a theater of regional struggle  against the rise of Islamist radicalization.

What: Kirtley will address students and parents from the John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, MD and other Montgomery County schools on the organization’s work in rural Niger, and how they can take a role as global citizens around critical issues like water scarcity and fostering friendships between diverse cultures. She will talk about what students can personally do to make a difference by participating in the the 2015 A Walk for Water, Amman Imman’s signature fundraising and awareness event in the Washington, DC metro area that will be held at John F. Kennedy High School on May 16.

Ariane Kirtley is also available for media interviews and features on such topics as: African development, combatting extremism, climate change, water, Boko Haram, roles of women in the Sahel, women’s entrepreneurship, choosing the humanitarian lifestyle, educating American schoolchildren about other cultures, and leading an international NGO.   

When:             Friday, April 24, 6:00pm

Where:           John F. Kennedy High School

1901 Randolph Road

Silver Spring, MD 20902

Photo Opportunity:

Best Time: 6:15 pm

Background:

2015 A Walk for Water is on Saturday, May 16th, 10:00am-2:00pm at John F. Kennedy High School. The event commences with an Opening Ceremony that includes AI’s Founder and Executive Director Ariane Alzhara Kirtley as keynote speaker, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett as special guest speaker, and John F. Kennedy High School Principal Joe L. Rubens as our host. There will be an interactive cultural festival, highlighting the cultures that Amman Imman serves and the issue of water scarcity, that features hands-on activities, food, live music from West Africa, traditional crafts and jewelry for purchase, and live demonstrations for the whole family. During the festival people gather to begin the 5K walk that symbolizes the 35 mile trek children living in the Azawak of West  Africa travel to bring water home to their families.

Funds raised go towards Amman Imman projects that help West African nomadic children and families suffering from water scarcity gain access to sustainable water sources and capacity-building projects focused on health, sanitation, food security, education, women’s empowerment, environmental sustainability and livelihood opportunities.  More information available at www.ammanimman.org/walk

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International Humanitarian Ariane Kirtley in USA, April - June

Ariane Kirtley, Hero to Thousands, to Visit DC

Beginning on April 10, 2015, well-known international humanitarian Ariane Kirtley will be available in the USA for interviews or feature stories in all media. She arrives in the Washington DC area just back from Niger, the poorest nation on Earth, and also a theater of regional struggle against the rise of Islamist radicalization.

The topics she can cover include: African development, combating extremism, climate change, water, Boko Haram, roles of women in the Sahel, women’s entrepreneurship, choosing the humanitarian lifestyle, educating American schoolchildren about other cultures, and leading an international NGO.

For almost a decade Ariane, mother of two young sons, has worked against great odds, including the threat of terrorism, to save lives among one of the most vulnerable minorities in Africa – a half million Tuareg and Wodaabe nomads who have no water most of the year due to unremitting drought. This is in the Florida-sized Azawak, the most abandoned region of Niger and of the Sahel.

Her work there focuses in large part on empowering women and bringing stability to children. Before Ariane arrived in the Azawak, children walked 20 miles to find water. Now they go to schools and health clinics built near permanent water sources she and her team have created. In America she built a network of more than 135 schools that participate in yearlong outreach programs to Azawak children.

Actress-activist Mia Farrow calls Ariane “a remarkable young woman” for her work with Amman Imman: Water is Life, the American organization Ariane founded and runs in Africa (recently named “Top 500 NGO”). Learn more about Amman Imman's mission and accomplishments on the website.

Click to watch a video showing children thanking Ariane

 

To meet or skype with Ariane Kirtley in April or May, please write her at ariane@ammanimman.org, or call Debbie Kahn at (240) 418-1143. 

More about Ariane Kirtley

Hailing from Kentucky and raised in Africa, Ariane received both her B.A. (’01 Anthropology) and Masters (’04 Public Health) from Yale University. Despite a plethora of career opportunities, her life reached a tipping point. Friends in Niger desperately begged her to visit the Azawak, saying people there were dying of thirst. Devastated by the conditions she found, she sought the help of major NGOs – who said they had other priorities. Ariane decided not to turn her back on her new friends in the Azawak; she would dedicate her life to them, and bring them water from unlimited supplies deep underground.

In 2006 she founded Amman Imman to keep her promise. Working far from civilization in suffocating Saharan heat, facing persistent health risks and dangers from regional unrest, she and her team do work typically carried out by governments. Since 2007 they have built 5 deep borehole wells, saved thousands of lives, and brought a fragile stability to an area that could otherwise become prey to extremist rhetoric.

Amman Imman's Charter of Values

We submit this charter as the standard of integrity upon which we do our work. This testament affirms our commitment to the populations we serve, and our pledge as humanitarians dedicated to building a future of hope for our planet.  

☆Respect and acceptance of the other, and honoring our differences as assets

☆Empathy, compassion, and solidarity toward those we serve

☆Humility, selflessness, and service leadership: placing others above self while we work for the good of others rather than personal advancement

☆Deep respect for human rights, equity, and justice


☆Teamwork, recognizing that all levels of our organization -- from management and staff to donors, to partners and beneficiaries -- compose a tightly-knit community

☆Excellence, quality, professionalism, innovation, pragmatism, and adaptability to ascertain positive impact and sustainability

☆Passion and commitment for our work and the people we serve

☆Transparency, integrity, morality, accountability and honesty as a guiding force

☆Perseverance and endurance, despite challenging and sometimes dangerous circumstances

☆Limiting our influence on the environment and the earth's resources, both in the office and in the field

☆Wise, careful, and conscientious use of financial resources

www.ammanimman.org