These are our current projects focused on bringing income producing opportunities to the nomads:
Fighting terrorism with opportunity–microcredit for at risk youth
When we saw the large groups of organized youth showing up to support our festival last November–all dressed alike–Sidi and I had an idea. If we provide them small loans to pursue whatever activity they choose they will be able to make a start and this might be enough for them to stay home and […]
Solar Fabrication and Installation
Why do nomads need solar power when they don’t have houses let alone energy-guzzling modern appliances? The answer is simple: water. Wells equipped with solar-powered pumps can save the nomads thousands of hours of manual labor and produce enough water for gardens as well as herds. The foundation’s investment during the last year in training...
Herds
Herds coming into camp at sunset leave again just after sunrise to go out to pasture for the day. NEW SCHOOL HERD FOR TAMESNA: It is sometimes difficult for nomadic parents to send their children to school because it takes them away from their work as herders. We, not only...
Women’s Co-ops
Nomadic women are skilled at embroidery, basket or mat weaving and leatherwork. A small start up loan enables women to purchase materials to produce and sell their handicrafts through their own co-operatives. We also are actively seeking markets for their work in the US. IFEROUANE- Tuareg leatherwork co-op FOUDOUK-Wodaabe embroidery co-op The new TAMSENA CENTER...
Earthbag Building
Nomadic people need permanent structures only occasionally for seasonal storage, to start a small shop near their well, for cereal bank or fodder bank storage, and if they want a school they must pay a contractor a high price to bring materials and laborers from the city. If the building ever needs repairs they must...
Motorcycle repair training
Motorcycles have become a vital means of transportation in nomadic territory. They are affordable, but the terrain is hard on them, and repairs must be done in the city. After conducting many successful training programs, the nomads’ aptitude for learning new skills is not in doubt. We hope to combine this training with our ongoing...
Work
Our efforts to bring stability and prosperity have taken many paths. Jobs for nomads are their herds, but with modernization, political instability and global warming they need other options. MOTORCYCLE REPAIR TRAINING TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANT TRAINING EARTHBAG BUILDING SOLAR PANEL FABRICATION WOMEN'S CO-OPS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT HERDS
