Dear Friends of the Azawak, 

I am relieved to report that my dear husband Denis has finally returned from Niger after spending the last month working with our local team in Niger. Fassely and I had to return home early due to the unbearable heat and a dangerous meningitis outbreak. Denis remained behind to finish up all the last minute work for Amman Imman in the field. Several positive developments took place over this past month in Niger...(Read More Here)

May 9, 2009
International Relief and Development (IRD) comes to Tangarwashane

TANGARWASHANE, NIGER

The international non-profit organization, IRD recently began working in the Abalak region of the Azawak. The organization has chosen Tangarwashane as one of the villages where it will intervene. (Read More Here)

March 22, 2009
Amman Imman Team visits Tangarwashane and chooses new site at Kijigari
from Ariane Kirtley

NIGER—Dear Friends of the Azawak,

I hope that this email finds you well! Our Amman Imman team recently returned to Niamey from a rewarding couple of weeks in the Azawak. Debbie has already gone home to the United States, and Denis, Laurel and I are developing partnerships with organizations. We are also keeping busy negotiating with contractors. (Read More Here)

February 23, 2009
Amman Imman Team in Niger and traveling to Azawak
from Ariane Kirtley

NIGER—Dear Friends of the Azawak,

I write you on this hot and dusty evening in Niamey to tell you that Amman Imman's international team arrived safely in Niamey, Niger and will be traveling to the Azawak in a few days to prepare for the future drilling of "The Montessori Well of Love" Borehole. (Read More Here)

February 4, 2009
DC Area Montessori Students Bring Water to 25,000 People In Africa

NIGER—Poised to build its second borehole well in Niger’s Azawak Valley—a vast region in the middle of the country that is quickly drying up —Amman Imman’s executive director, Ariane Kirtley, and a team of volunteers will travel to Niger to conduct a feasibility study and find an optimal spot to start drilling.(Read More Here)

December 5, 2008
USA Program Coordinator and Redesigned Website!
from Ariane Kirtley

I write to you from the United States where I have been living and working since September. Over the course of these last couple of months, many exciting transformations have occurred within Amman Imman: Water is Life that have strengthened our organization and increased our ability to support fundraising activities. This update tells about several of these recent developments including the hiring of our USA program coordinator, the development of our newly reconfigured website and our upcoming plans…(.Read More Here)

October 17, 2008
A Tribute to Dennis Hamilton, Amman Imman's Associate Director
from Ariane Kirtley
On September 16th, Amman Imman lost one of its dearest and most devoted friends, Dennis Hamilton.

Dennis was not only Amman Imman's Associate Director, and one of the organization's greatest assets, he was also my mentor and best friend. In many ways, it is largely thanks to his love, encouragement and help that I discovered the Azawak.....(Read more here)

August 22, 2008
Photo exhibit opening at Murphy Arts Gallery, August 7, 2008
from Julie Snorek
A small, but very interested crowd gathered in Murphy Arts Gallery in Keene, New Hampshire on Aug 7th for the opening of Amman Imman : Water is Life - Bringing Water and Hope to Where There is None, a photographic exhibit of the work of Ariane Alzhara Kirtley in the Azawak of West Africa. There was a lot of interest and praise for our work.  People kept pointing out the great importance of this exhibit.  Many said it is an interesting, sad story and that they were transported to Niger's Azawak.  So far, from sales and donations we've received $1,500.

Next steps:  I will be giving a talk about my experiences in Niger and Amman Imman on Aug 28th, 7:00 p.m. in the gallery. We'll set out Nigerien mats and carpets and invite those who are daring to drink Tuareg tea, served by a Berber friend, Jamila.  The Kiwanis Club will be coming on Sept 3rd to hear me speak about Amman Imman.  The gallery exhibit is open until Sept 15th.

August 8, 2008
Article from Keene Sentinel by Nicole Colson
Walking 30 miles a day might sound like a long distance normally, but in many parts of the world, it is the norm because it’s the only way to get water for the family. “Amman Imman: Water is Life, the photography of Ariane Alzhara Kirtley,” is the latest show on display at Murphy Arts, at Keene’s Colony Mill Marketplace.

Download PDF of entire article

July 7, 2008
Article from Newsweek by Scott Johnson
The Least Green Country on Earth
Niger scores 6 on the 100-point green index, last among all nations. Several hundred head of camel, sheep and cattle shoved and bustled in the blistering afternoon heat to get closer to the well. Many of them were crying and braying from thirst.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/143697
Read entire article

June 6, 2008
Pictures from A Walk For Water 2008 in Maryland
from Debra Kahn
A Walk For Water, a walk for children by children, May 17, 2008

http://montessori-amman-imman-project.blogspot.com/2008/06/pictures-from-walk-for-water-2008-in.html

June 1, 2008
Choosing Action :  A Walk For Water Yields Big Payoffs
from Debra Kahn
On a beautiful Saturday in May, students from schools in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area came together to lend their support to the people of the Azawak by participating in A Walk For Water. After a week of drenching rains, the sky radiated clear blue and the sun shined brightly.

http://montessori-amman-imman-project.blogspot.com/2008/05/choosing-action-walk-for-water-yields.html