COMMUNICATION FROM THE ASSOCIATION - december 2010

NEW PROJECTS

Barcelona (Spain) – Niamey and Agadez (Republic of Niger)

Niamey is the capital of the Republic of Niger. 829 kilometres to the north is Agadez, capital of the Air region which at the moment is in a desperate situation, due to the escalation of military conflict, as well as suffering from poverty, lack of resources, extreme temperatures, and the natural barriers of the desert zones of the Air and the Tenere.

The Wodaabe-Niger Association had planned to travel to Niger in September 2010 but in view of the increased risk in moving around in the bush, we have decided to postpone going until February-March 2011, and then maybe only to Niamey in order to spearhead a new co-operation project.

The Association, is determined to continue its fight against drought through building and repairing water wells for the Wodaabe and Tuareg, the benefits of which are so clear to see when one is on the spot.

THE NEW INITIATIVE

After much consideration the Association has decided on a new initiative. It will concentrate on giving medical attention and special aid to the population of Niamey and Agadez neither of which have any health services available to them. This initiative is designed to reach patients from remote areas who have little chance  otherwise in getting medical attention, which has to be paid for.

OBJECTIVES

During our next trip to Niamey we will concentrate our efforts on planning and organising two ambitious projects for 2012, in order to tackle two chronic situations which are not considered emergencies.

 
1.- Ophthalmological medical assistance, with the collaboration: Dr. Abdoul Rachid Fatima, Health Ministry of Niamey and Elh Kollo Mamadou, director of the Regional Hospital Centre of Agadez.     

The goals are: to cure blindness due to cataracts To improve the visual health of the population this joint ophthalmological expedition, in an agreement between the Foundation Barraquer of Barcelona and the Association Wodaabe-Niger, plans to travel to Niger for a week during February 2012.This will require great generosity in both the effort and resources from the Foundation Barraquer, so that ophthalmological and humanitarian assistance can be effectively provided in Niger.

The project will provide attention, surgery, and treatment. Added to this will be the transfer of patients from Agadez to Niamey and back, with board and lodging in Niamey. Also, importantly, will be the training of personnel of the Medical Centre with whom we will collaborate.

Led by Dra. Elena Barraquer, the medical team will be comprise an ophthalmological surgeon, a medical anaesthetist, a qualified nurse and personnel. The duration of previous expeditions, such as that to Ibo Island in Mozambique, was one week. During the one week visit to Nyeri Hospital in Kenya in collaboration with the Foundation Africa Digna, around 600 visits were held, 90 chirurgical operations were undertaken, and 250 pairs of spectacles were fitted.

2.- Assistance to groups with physical incapacity, Association des Handicapés  Locomoteurs de Agadez. President: Massalabi Abdou.

The floods in 2009 affected the already precarious situation of the community “Handicapés Locomoteurs d’Agadez” (373 people). They received some help from non-governmental organisations, but, due to the lack of tourism, their only source of revenue, selling their hand-made crafts, has disappeared. As a result the group is in an extremely fragile position. Our object during the next trip is to study and discover first-hand their prime needs and what in consequence, can be provided.

This collective has a small optical workshop, with scarce means but with optimal results. The person in charge is Bello Ibrahim, who is also the secretary of the Handicapés Association. His knowledge in optics is indispensable to the population of Agadez.

It could be strongly reinforced if he was to assist the work of the Foundation Barraquer team when in Niamey, which would automatically include training in modern methods.

This would  greatly improve his capabilities, and, as a result he would be a greater asset to the needy in Agadez, and his liaison with the Foundation would create back-up support.

 The Wodaabe-Niger Association has participated on numerous occasions in providing for the urgent needs for this group; for example a canteen, the purchase of sewing machines, spectacles, and many kinds of repairs.

We need, once more, your generous participation in order to achieve these goals, and   will be most grateful for any donation you make.

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE ASSOCIATION - january 2009

Dear Friends, a few months ago we returned from Niger. When there, we travelled from north to south in order to assist to the IV Asamblée General des Eleveurs Nomades du Niger in Tagayet and to visit the area around Bermo where several Wodaabe groups had requeste our help. 

Until not long ago the Wodaabe (with family units between 300 to 600 people) moved in search for pastures and water, their only wealth being their herds of zebu, which are considered part of the family. At present they possess very few cows, a small number of goats and one or two donkeys that they use as beasts of burden or to draw water out of the wells.

Due to deteriorating circumstances in the recent years they want to settle around the wells where children and aged people can stay while the young adults go in search of pasture.Situation of the wells: in terms of activities we can report that around 14.500 Wodaabe are using the wells you have generously funded through the Association Wodaabe-Niger.

As a consequence of your donations, we are very pleased to announce that several schools have been established in the settlements created around the wells.

 Unfortunately history repeats itself year after year and the word on everybody’s lips is séchereese (drought). The Wodaabe do not emigrate to Europe, only a few travel to the neighbouring countries of Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Libya to work temporally and return to their families. They love the land where they were born and their traditional way of life.

 The Wodaabe are very respectful and central to them is the welfare of their community. From them we have learned patience and perseverance and with these tools we slowly advance in our basic purpose: to obtain water on a permanent basis.

Thank you very much for your collaboration.