Famine Relief for the Wodaabe and Tuareg–millet and goats

The alumni of Boston University’s Niger Program have spearheaded a very successful campaign to raise funds to alleviate hunger in the current famine. They have raised $11,525. We have distributed $4200 (150–100kg sacks of millet) to the very hard hit communities of the Wodaabe in the Ingall commune.
Phase 2 $4200–150 sacks to the Tuareg
Our next phase will attempt to reach the largest number of Tuareg we can. This we will do at an enthronement ceremony of a major Tuareg chief in Tigidan Taget. This will be the first time such a large number of Tuareg have united behind a single chief and will attract a huge number to attend. The best way for nomadic people who are in need of aid, to find it, is to go where leaders, government officials and large groups of nomads congregate. Traditionally this has been the most practical way of reaching the largest number of nomads. Instead of spending half the money trying to find them and deliver the relief, they come to one spot and we can spend more money on food and less on transportation. Sidi, our local rep, has gone north to do this on September 17.
Phase 3 The balance
The rains have come and they seem to be adequate this year so there is alot of pasture, but so many animals lost that there are few to graze it. We have decided that the most useful way of spending the balance of the money is to buy goats to help reconstitute herds. This decision is based on several considerations: Goat milk is very nourishing for children, there is enough pasture now to support them in a traditionally overgrazed region, this is a longer term solution and can continue to feed people long after the sacks of millet are gone. But this millet has seen 300 families through the worst of the crisis and your help is what made it happen. Thank you BU alumni of the Niger program!
Sidi, our local rep, is in the north now placing the order for goats (it takes some time to find them in the local markets) and making the second distribution of millet.
When he returns on Saturday Sep 18 I should have photos.