Niger "Water from the Desert" Jay Dunn 23 images Created 27 Mar 2008
West Africa, Niger, 2007. Where many see only sand, Rissa Ixa and his team of Tuareg workers have drawn water from the ground by marrying ancient methods to solid engineering skills. They have invested in serious rigging and safety equipment over the years, and have built reliable wells in almost forty places, supporting a community of nomads marginalized by the government.
At this isolated location lies an Eden of green in the desert, made possible by a single plentiful well. Acres of tomatoes, potatoes, beans climbing up corn stalks, peppers, gourds, rice and herbs all grow here, thanks to a rotating crew of Tuareg, who take turns cultivating and then guarding the produce. Visible reminders of failure lie close by. Bores are made to no avail, and some wells deteriorate or simply dry up. But with little funding, and under tough conditions, the Tuareg are undaunted and are often rewarded for their efforts. -- More at www.jaydunn.org --
Humanitarian Issues & Cultural Tradition Worldwide
At this isolated location lies an Eden of green in the desert, made possible by a single plentiful well. Acres of tomatoes, potatoes, beans climbing up corn stalks, peppers, gourds, rice and herbs all grow here, thanks to a rotating crew of Tuareg, who take turns cultivating and then guarding the produce. Visible reminders of failure lie close by. Bores are made to no avail, and some wells deteriorate or simply dry up. But with little funding, and under tough conditions, the Tuareg are undaunted and are often rewarded for their efforts. -- More at www.jaydunn.org --
Humanitarian Issues & Cultural Tradition Worldwide
