Water Security: Rain for the Sahel and Sahara to celebrate 10 years at annual event

Water Security is National Security

Water resources and how they are managed impact almost all aspects of society and the economy, in particular health, food production and security, domestic water supply and sanitation, energy, industry, and the functioning of ecosystems. Under present climate variability, water stress is already high, particularly in many developing countries, and climate change adds even more urgency for action. Without improved water resources management, the progress towards poverty reduction targets, the Millennium Development Goals, and sustainable development in all its economic, social and environ- mental dimensions, will be jeopardized. UN Water.Org

Sunday, December 31, 2000

Rain for the Sahel and Sahara to celebrate 10 years at annual event

DOVER / PORTSMOUTH — Rain for the Sahel and Sahara, a New Hampshire-based non-profit organization, says this year's annual event, Stars over the Sahara, marks a significant milestone. They are elebrating 10 years on Friday evening, June 3.
RAIN is greening the desert. Literally, with wells, irrigation and
gardens. Figuratively, by providing people with the means to earn
livelihoods.
The event commences at 6 pm and will take place at Three Rivers Farm in Dover.

Dan Philbrick, owner of Three River Farms, is hosting the event for Rain for the Sahel and Sahara, and Rebecca Rule will be master of ceremonies. Rain for the Sahel and Sahara is grateful for their kindness and help with the event.

Also in attendance will be Halima Hamza Malam, the newly-appointed country director for Niger, serving as the organization's senior representative in Niger.

Attendees will enjoy music by Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble, in addition to having the opportunity to bid on African crafts and American adventures and take part in Rain for the Sahel and Sahara's Star raffle and sales. An array of appetizers will be served, and donations will be kindly accepted.

The mission of Rain for the Sahel and Sahara is to work with nomadic peoples of West Africa to improve their lives through education, water security, agriculture, and income-producing activities. These locally rooted programs promote literacy and empowerment while sustaining nomadic traditions throughout the Sahel and Sahara.

Rain for the Sahel and Sahara has helped nomadic communities plant gardens near their schools. From these gardens, food is provided to the students whose parents are nomadic and so must live at school. Drip irrigation and wells are installed to support the garden and provide a reliable source of fresh, clean water.

The organization also imports Tuareg jewelry, as well as handcrafted items from artisan cooperatives. It currently has two active cooperatives - a group of Wodaabe women who employ their centuries old embroidery tradition to create purses, home decoration and other items, and a group of women from Agadez, who work with leather.

Items are available for sale at the organization's Portsmouth office, 56 Middle St., and during open houses such as the Portsmouth Farmers Market on June 18 at Portsmouth City Hall.

They can also be viewed by appointment at the Rain for the Sahel and Sahara's office. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, please contact Julia at 603-371-0676

if you'd like to shop, visit or explore volunteer opportunities at Rain for the Sahel and Sahara. For more information, visit: www.rain4sahara.org.

Location: Cayman Islands