Amman Imman: Water is Life 

Bringing Water and Hope to the Azawak of West Africa

“In a world without water, a daily

struggle for

survival”

Ariane KirtleyFounder of Program

Amman Imman

Mission Mission in the in the

Azawak Azawak of Nigerof Niger

To save and improve To save and improve lives lives by supplying by supplying clean and permanent clean and permanent sources of water to sources of water to adults and children adults and children currently dying of currently dying of thirst.thirst.

Niger: one of Niger: one of thethe

poorest poorest countries in the countries in the

worldworld

The Azawak covers 80,000 square miles (approx. size

of Florida), with a population of 500,000

Who are Who are the the

People of People of the the

Azawak?Azawak?

The PeopleThe People Pastoralists that live Pastoralists that live

off herding animalsoff herding animals

Most live in small Most live in small campscamps

Some live in small Some live in small villages and survive off villages and survive off of sustenance farming of sustenance farming

urur

The Poorest Region in The Poorest Region in One of the Poorest One of the Poorest

Country in the WorldCountry in the World

No permanent or No permanent or sustainable water sustainable water

sourcessources

No infrastructureNo infrastructure No roads (paths)No roads (paths) Little health careLittle health care Few SchoolsFew Schools

(illiteracy rate: (illiteracy rate: 99%)99%)

Almost no Almost no humanitarian humanitarian assistanceassistance

Amman Imman, Arr IssudarAmman Imman, Arr IssudarWater is Life, Milk is Hope

survive on less than 1.5 gallons of survive on less than 1.5 gallons of water/person/day -- a quantity water/person/day -- a quantity well under the World Health well under the World Health Organization prescribed minimum Organization prescribed minimum of 6.5 gallons of water/person/dayof 6.5 gallons of water/person/day

Live or die

based on the rainy

season

During the 1.5 - 3 month During the 1.5 - 3 month rainy season…rainy season…

Drink, wash, and cook with brackish Drink, wash, and cook with brackish marsh water marsh water

contaminated with human and animal contaminated with human and animal waste waste

““darker than hot chocolate” darker than hot chocolate”

Dig water holes in the marsh land once the marshes have dried up…

Once these dry out after a few Once these dry out after a few months, water sources are up to months, water sources are up to

35 miles away35 miles away

These water These water sources are…sources are…

Very rareVery rare

Water table 600-3000 feet Water table 600-3000 feet deepdeep

Too difficult and expensive Too difficult and expensive to build by populationsto build by populations

QuickTime™ and aH.264 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Overuse Causes Wells to Dry UpOveruse Causes Wells to Dry Up

Health Health Situation:Situation:

1 out every 2 children die before the age of five1 out every 2 children die before the age of five Children covered in hives and lice because no Children covered in hives and lice because no

water for bathing (95% do not wash outside of water for bathing (95% do not wash outside of rainy season)rainy season)

No water for washing wounds, so become life No water for washing wounds, so become life threateningthreatening

99% of population has never heard of HIV/AIDS99% of population has never heard of HIV/AIDS

Increasing access to Increasing access to clean and permanent clean and permanent sources of water, and sources of water, and ascertaining their ascertaining their proper managementproper management

Have begun process Have begun process with the borehole of with the borehole of TangarwashaneTangarwashane

Plan on building Plan on building many moremany more

Program Program Amman Amman ImmanImman

Long-Term Long-Term GoalGoal

Water Water TowerTower

Diesel Diesel EngineEngine

Diesel Diesel EngineEngine

uuWater Water TroughsTroughs

Water Water FountainFountain

aa

1 borehole 1 borehole is is

NOT NOT enough!enough!

Cost per borehole:Cost per borehole: between $175,000 - between $175,000 -

$200,000$200,000

Initial cost per person: Initial cost per person: Between $8 to $40Between $8 to $40

Cost per person over Cost per person over lifespan of borehole : lifespan of borehole :

Less than $1Less than $1

Construction start date Construction start date for future boreholes: for future boreholes: September 2008September 2008

Please help the Please help the children of the children of the

Azawak…Azawak… Join our Heroes of Join our Heroes of

CompassionCompassion

Raise awareness Raise awareness and funds within and funds within your school.your school.

Reach out to your Reach out to your community, clubs, community, clubs, other schools, etc.other schools, etc.

THE FRIENDSHIP CARAVANTHE FRIENDSHIP CARAVANProgram Program Amman ImmanAmman Imman

4212 364212 36thth Street South, # A1 Street South, # A1 Arlington, VA 22206 Arlington, VA 22206

(203)468-8313 * (203)887-4213(203)468-8313 * (203)887-4213 www.waterforniger.orgwww.waterforniger.org

montessori-amman-imman-project.blogspot.commontessori-amman-imman-project.blogspot.com