NGO Amman Imman

Mariama drinks clean waterSoon after graduating from Yale University with a B.A. in Anthropology and a Master’s in International Public Health, I returned to the Sahara in 2005 as a Fulbright scholar. I spent several months living alongside Tuareg and Fulani herders in Niger’s Azawak Valley. There I witnessed children dying from dehydration: young boys and girls who walked up to 30 kilometers a day in searing 45° heat — not for pleasure, but out of desperation to find water. In 2006 I founded the international NGO Amman Imman: Water is Life, to address the needs of minorities in Africa, beginning with constructing deep borehole wells in the Azawak. Twelve years later, and Amman Imman has brought water to close to 100,000 people.

Amman Imman: Water is Life is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations gratefully accepted. Click here to learn more.

Amman Imman logoAmman Imman empowers and supports Africa’s most vulnerable indigenous peoples and engages students worldwide as socially conscious leaders. Through our Africa-based program, Oases of Life, we establish points of civilization that flourish, beginning with the construction of permanent water sources. Our programs emphasize the role of women and youth as a guiding force for societal stability, optimism, and resilience.

From Gerewols to Schools

From Gerewols to Schools

FROM GEREWOLS TO SCHOOLS: Fada, adorned with charm talismans, a round feather- topped hat and a Tuareg saber, came bouncing ...
The Flea Infested Camp

The Flea Infested Camp

THE FLEA INFESTED CAMP: I do not know this Touareg child’s name.  But I will never forget her gorgeous smile.  ...
Red Ribbon: Aisha

Red Ribbon: Aisha

RED RIBBON: AISHA Aisha is the daughter of Alhassan and Sadouan, and sister to Mouheini.  I have posted several times ...
From Magic Potions to Prostitutions

From Magic Potions to Prostitutions

FROM MAGIC POTIONS TO PROSTITUTION:  I wrote the story of “Gotchi and Satchi” (see my thirteen previous posts) for my ...
Fairy Water Fetchers: RIP Raichatou, We Will Always Love You!

Fairy Water Fetchers: RIP Raichatou, We Will Always Love You!

FAIRY WATER FETCHERS: RIP RAICHATOU, WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU Raichatou and her group of little girl friends were my ...
The Smile

The Smile

THE SMILE:  This is Bintou, a Touareg girl from the village of Tchinwagari in Niger.  She was and continues to ...
Oases of Life

Oases of Life

When I began Amman Imman twelve years ago, I could not have possibly imagined the changes that my dreams for ...
Food for Everyone

Food for Everyone

In this photo, a Fulani family has come to the Ebagueye cereal bank to purchase millet at an affordable cost ...
Water for Health or Who Said Troughs Aren't Meant To Be Used As A Pool?

Water for Health or Who Said Troughs Aren’t Meant To Be Used As A Pool?

In the first photo, a mother gives a bath to her children in the clean water from the Couloubade borehole ...
Zeinabou's Baby

Zeinabou’s Baby

Little Zeinabou was born during the month of Ebagueye’s borehole construction. We call her our Ebagueye borehole baby. She holds ...
The Tchinadan

The Tchinadan

In this photo, a Touareg tchinadan (woman artisan), is cutting strips of dyed leather which she will then use to ...
Gushing With Life

Gushing With Life

More water celebration!!! … here, girls from our Ebagueye community are playing in the pristine water gushing from their borehole, ...
Dancing For Water

Dancing For Water

These girls from Kijigari spontaneously began dancing to celebrate the construction of their borehole “Well of Love”, built by Montessori ...
May The Water Flow

May The Water Flow

Anahou and Mariama are retrieving water from the Tangarwashane faucet for their family. Their lives have changed dramatically ...
Walking for Water

Walking for Water

As a uniting event for students across the world, students and schools have held Walks for Water over the past ...