http://www.nigercurrents.ca/index.php Niger Currents en-CA http://backend.userland.com/rss092 <p>As I sail the boat towards the end of our journey, the evening sun starts to fade as we approach Niafunke. It always seems as if the last few kilometres are the longest. It's my last hour on this river, in this boat that has carried me, however briefly, into the lives of people who make their homes here.</p> <p align="center"><img align="middle" src="/media/boatagainstbank.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="" /></p> <p>It seems appropriate that this journey should end in Niafunke, the home town of Ali Farka Toure, one of Mali's preeminent musicians. Ali helped put <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Mali\'s human history stretches deep into the Paleolithic era, and can be reliably traced at least as far back as the Ghana Empire, which influenced the region between 750 and 1078 CE. It provided the landscape for a number of subsequent Sahel Kingdoms, including the Mali and Songhai Empires, as it occupied an important place on both Saharan and Niger River trade routes. Invaded by Morocco in 1591 and later by the French, in 1880, Mali finally received independence on June 20, 1960 under its first president Modibo Keita. Mali\'s first democratic elections were held in 1992 and were won by Alpha Oumar Konare. In 2002 Malians elected their current president, Amadou Toumani Toure. Modern Mali is bordered by Algeria, Mauritania, Guinea, Senegal, Cote D\'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Niger.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Malian</a> music on the world stage, using an electric guitar but playing music true to traditional <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Mali\'s human history stretches deep into the Paleolithic era, and can be reliably traced at least as far back as the Ghana Empire, which influenced the region between 750 and 1078 CE. It provided the landscape for a number of subsequent Sahel Kingdoms, including the Mali and Songhai Empires, as it occupied an important place on both Saharan and Niger River trade routes. Invaded by Morocco in 1591 and later by the French, in 1880, Mali finally received independence on June 20, 1960 under its first president Modibo Keita. Mali\'s first democratic elections were held in 1992 and were won by Alpha Oumar Konare. In 2002 Malians elected their current president, Amadou Toumani Toure. Modern Mali is bordered by Algeria, Mauritania, Guinea, Senegal, Cote D\'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Niger.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Malian</a> styles. When Ali passed away earlier this year <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Mali\'s human history stretches deep into the Paleolithic era, and can be reliably traced at least as far back as the Ghana Empire, which influenced the region between 750 and 1078 CE. It provided the landscape for a number of subsequent Sahel Kingdoms, including the Mali and Songhai Empires, as it occupied an important place on both Saharan and Niger River trade routes. Invaded by Morocco in 1591 and later by the French, in 1880, Mali finally received independence on June 20, 1960 under its first president Modibo Keita. Mali\'s first democratic elections were held in 1992 and were won by Alpha Oumar Konare. In 2002 Malians elected their current president, Amadou Toumani Toure. Modern Mali is bordered by Algeria, Mauritania, Guinea, Senegal, Cote D\'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Niger.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Mali</a> lost not only a great musician but a true community champion.</p> <p>As we sail into Niafunke, Ali's impact on the community can be seen clearly. South of the river we spot the large irrigated farm he built for the community. Some people have even claimed that he is responsible for bringing electricity to the town.</p> <p>But Ali's impact on Niafunke goes far beyond the infrastructure he built for the community. The morning after our arrival, Mike and I walked through town asking people what Ali meant to them and their community. Everyone we met along the way spoke of Ali with a sense of pride. One young man told me: "He is one of us. Because of him, everywhere they know Niafunke." For many, Ali Farka Toure stands as proof that Africans can succeed - can overcome the odds and do amazing things.</p> <p>As we talk to people about Ali's contribution to the community, I can't help but be reminded of all the amazing people I have met along this journey.</p> <p>I remember being nervous as we rode out of <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('This city in southern Guinea, near the border with Liberia, has a population of approximately 70,000. Situated near the Haut Niger National Park, this area is heavily forested and is known for its coffee plantations.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Kissidougou</a> three months ago, wondering who we would meet, wondering whether I would truly be able to understand people's hopes and fears, and communicate these to the world. The following day a man named Karifa Karuma washed away all of my fears and doubts.</p> <p>As I watched Karifa race back toward <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('A small village of about 2,500 (including surrounding areas) on the road from Kissidougou to Kankan, in southern Guinea. It is based mostly around agriculture, and a prominent crop in the area is cassava.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Yardo</a> with his irrepressible energy, I knew that this was an important story to tell. Karifa's life is such a vivid and stark contrast to many of the stereotypes about West Africa that it can't help but jump off the page.</p> <p>Over the following ten weeks, I met many people like Karifa - people working to create positive change in their lives and in their communities. I was continually inspired by the people I met, and I hope my readers were too.</p> <p align="center"><img align="middle" src="/media/karifa.jpg" width="400" height="525" alt="" /></p> <p>I undertook this journey because my experience of the past two years, working alongside and living with rural West Africans, has shown them to be strong, open-hearted and courageous people. I believed that if people in Canada came to know the Karifa Karumas and Bintu Traores and Omar Diarras of West Africa they would feel hope for Africa and a commitment to helping ordinary Africans create positive change in their lives.</p> <p align="center"><img align="middle" src="/media/bintuportrait.jpg" width="400" height="533" alt="" /></p> <p>People like Karifa Karuma, Bintu Traore and Omar Diarra deserve to be the face of this wonderful place. I hope that for those reading each week, the images of an Africa ravaged by AIDS, war and drought are balanced by the potential I saw in the people I have met along the way. To meet Karifa Kuruma is to know that people here have the skills, vision and determination to seek a better life for themselves. So often they just need a roadblock removed or a little bit of help to initiate that change. </p> <p align="center"><img align="middle" src="/media/omarwithaxe.jpg" width="400" height="533" alt="" /></p> <p>You and I have the power and the responsibility to give the Omars, Bintus and Karifas who live in villages throughout Africa the opportunity to make that change a reality. </p> <p>For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to work in Northern <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Taking its name from the ancient Ghana Empire, the nation now known as Ghana was once called the Gold Coast by British occupiers. It incorporates a number of ethnic groups, including the Ashanti and Fanti in the south and Dagomba-Mole groups of the north, who had various empires and states prior to colonization. Ghana received independence in 1957 under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah, and underwent a number of military coups until Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings took control of the country in 1981. He remained in power, first as a dictatorial president and after 1992 as elected president. In 2000 John Kufuor was elected president and is currently serving his second term.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Ghana</a> with <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Engineers Without Borders Canada is a young non-profit organization with more than 15,000 members organized in 27 student and professional chapters. In Canada, EWB raises awareness among Canadians about the impact of their daily actions on developing communities and aims to make Canada a model global citizen in the fight against poverty. Overseas, EWB\'s volunteers promote human development in some of the world\'s most impoverished communities. They help build knowledge and capacity among local entrepreneurs and organizations so they can spread innovative and appropriate solutions to the challenges of poverty.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Engineers Without Borders Canada</a>, helping people living in rural areas empower themselves through access to appropriate technology. Development work is incredibly challenging, but I feel that <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Engineers Without Borders Canada is a young non-profit organization with more than 15,000 members organized in 27 student and professional chapters. In Canada, EWB raises awareness among Canadians about the impact of their daily actions on developing communities and aims to make Canada a model global citizen in the fight against poverty. Overseas, EWB\'s volunteers promote human development in some of the world\'s most impoverished communities. They help build knowledge and capacity among local entrepreneurs and organizations so they can spread innovative and appropriate solutions to the challenges of poverty.');" onmouseout="return nd();">EWB</a> volunteers are able to have a positive impact by adopting a cooperative approach and working closely with the people who will be responsible for driving change in their own communities.</p> <p>I encourage you to support the work of <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Engineers Without Borders Canada is a young non-profit organization with more than 15,000 members organized in 27 student and professional chapters. In Canada, EWB raises awareness among Canadians about the impact of their daily actions on developing communities and aims to make Canada a model global citizen in the fight against poverty. Overseas, EWB\'s volunteers promote human development in some of the world\'s most impoverished communities. They help build knowledge and capacity among local entrepreneurs and organizations so they can spread innovative and appropriate solutions to the challenges of poverty.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Engineers Without Borders Canada</a>. Your donation will enable <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Engineers Without Borders Canada is a young non-profit organization with more than 15,000 members organized in 27 student and professional chapters. In Canada, EWB raises awareness among Canadians about the impact of their daily actions on developing communities and aims to make Canada a model global citizen in the fight against poverty. Overseas, EWB\'s volunteers promote human development in some of the world\'s most impoverished communities. They help build knowledge and capacity among local entrepreneurs and organizations so they can spread innovative and appropriate solutions to the challenges of poverty.');" onmouseout="return nd();">EWB</a>'s volunteers to work in partnership with developing communities, creating opportunities for the world's poor to improve their situation and lead lives they value.</p> <p>I'd like give a very heartfelt thank-you to some of the people who have made it possible for me to undertake this journey. First, I am very grateful to all the people who took me into their homes and lives. They have given this journey purpose and me a constant source of inspiration. I am also grateful to the translators and guides who worked tirelessly to help us learn about the lives of the people we met along the way. I also truly appreciate the efforts of the team, both in Canada and in West Africa, who made this journey possible. In particular, I thank Eli, Mike, Avi, Jen and Anna for their dedication to making this journey a success. I also thank Chris, Genevieve, Kingson, Matt, Nick, Samina, Sarah and Sonya for their support, and the numerous past and present <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Engineers Without Borders Canada is a young non-profit organization with more than 15,000 members organized in 27 student and professional chapters. In Canada, EWB raises awareness among Canadians about the impact of their daily actions on developing communities and aims to make Canada a model global citizen in the fight against poverty. Overseas, EWB\'s volunteers promote human development in some of the world\'s most impoverished communities. They help build knowledge and capacity among local entrepreneurs and organizations so they can spread innovative and appropriate solutions to the challenges of poverty.');" onmouseout="return nd();">EWB</a> overseas volunteers who offered insightful comments on my weekly posts. I am also indebted to <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Engineers Without Borders Canada is a young non-profit organization with more than 15,000 members organized in 27 student and professional chapters. In Canada, EWB raises awareness among Canadians about the impact of their daily actions on developing communities and aims to make Canada a model global citizen in the fight against poverty. Overseas, EWB\'s volunteers promote human development in some of the world\'s most impoverished communities. They help build knowledge and capacity among local entrepreneurs and organizations so they can spread innovative and appropriate solutions to the challenges of poverty.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Engineers Without Borders Canada</a> for their support and to <a href="javascript:void(0);" onmouseover="return overlib('Roadpost provides customized global communications to individuals and corporations. Their comprehensive portfolio provides complete global coverage, no matter where the destination. Visit Roadpost at roadpost.ca.');" onmouseout="return nd();">Roadpost</a> for equipping me with a satellite phone that allowed me to keep in touch with the team in Canada no matter where I was. </p> <p>As I prepare to return to Canada, I am thinking more and more about how I will continue to fulfil my commitment to help my friends in West Africa create positive change in their communities. One way will be by continuing to share the stories of the ordinary yet extraordinary people I have met over the past few months. I will challenge those I share these stories with - as I challenge you now - to make a commitment to empowering positive change in African communities. It is a privilege that we are afforded, and a responsibility that we bear.</p> <p align="center"><img align="middle" src="/media/kidsreflection.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="" /></p> http://www.nigercurrents.ca/index.php/2006/08/19/end_of_the_road