Mali, next door to Niger had been the most stable country in West Africa when in 2012 a coup deposed the existing president, ATT. State governance failed and Islamist militant groups filled the void, forming an extremist mini-state in northern Mali, resulting in sanctions imposed by other African nations. This chased away foreign investment, most humanitarian organizations and tourism.
Through our friend Charlene Pidgeon we had been supporting Tuareg artisans in Fatouma and a fistula clinic in Mopti when Mali was stable. Since the problems of 2012, the situation has continued to deteriorate and our support goes mostly to food purchases to support the women in the fistula clinic, the displaced Tuareg artisans, other refugees and families suffering from the continuing instability and to support education in Dogon country.
Tuareg artisans co-operative in Fatouma 2008.