Special contribution to the blog by Suzanne Stork, Aidan Montessori School

All who attended A Walk for Water last Saturday enjoyed gorgeous weather on an absolutely perfect day as we walked a three mile, scenic course around Lake Frank.  Aidan families and faculty joined eight area schools as we walked together in support of Amman Imman’s efforts to bring sustainable sources of water to the 500,000 people of the Azawak region of Niger and Mali.  

Ariane Kirtley, founder and director of Amman Imman and former Montessori student, joined us on the walk.  At the pre-walk rally, Ariane inspired us with news from the Azawak.  She spoke of the current food crisis in Niger and described the joy of the people in the village of Kijigari, Niger, the site of the recently drilled borehole called “The Montessori Well of Love” in honor of Montessori schools around the world who have contributed to its construction. 

Aidan students and families have made a significant contribution to this beautiful, life-giving project.  This well has the capacity to provide water to up to 25,000 people for more than 50 years!  

Aidan has supported Amman Imman- Water is Life- through A Walk for Water for the past three years.  Last year, our elementary students participated in a Friendship Bracelet Exchange with children in the Azawak.  This project, along with the critical humanitarian work of Amman Imman, is featured in an exhibit at the Bing Stanford on Connecticut Avenue until Monday, May 24th.  Don't miss this opportunity to see the incredible photography of Ariane Kirtley, the work of Amman Imman, and Aidan's contribution to this beautiful work.

Ariane Kirtley arrived in the United States from Niger on April 26 with her two year old son, Fassely, to attend the gallery reception for her photography exhibit, Water is Life: African Nomads on the Brink, at the Bing Stanford in Washington Art Gallery last Thursday evening. It was a fabulous evening with over 125 people there to view the exhibit and hear Ariane speak. Kathleen Rogers, president of the Earth Day Network, introduced her, naming Ariane as an environmental and spiritual leader, and describing her "uncanny ability to bring me to the spot right where she works thousands and thousands of miles away."

With Fassely in her arms, Ariane told personal stories about how the lives of the people depicted in her photographs are deeply and often fatally afflicted by not having access to any water. We hope to post an audio file of Ariane's talk and photos from the reception soon.

Much has been accomplished by Amman Imman since November, 2009 when Ariane and her family arrived in Niamey, Niger. Most significantly the Kijigari borehole was drilled. This is tremendous! Yet, Denis Gontero, Ariane's husband, remains in the bush in 120 degree temperatures. He is there, poised to complete the borehole construction as soon as the rest of the funds are raised.  

We are only $50,000 away from providing a sustainable source of water for the children and families of Kijigari, and we are working hard to make this happen as soon as possible.

Toward this goal, fundraising events involving students and families, such as A Walk for Water and Amman-a-thons, are taking place in various locations such as Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, California, Florida and Maine. Approximately, $5,000 has been raised thus far. Students across America are working to ensure that the people of Kijigari do not have to endure another dry season without any water.

We have a special announcement for those attending A Walk for Water in Virginia on May 14th and Maryland on May 15th:
We will be honored by having Ariane and Fassely participate in these walks! Ariane is very excited to be in America during the month of May so that she can walk with the students!

Registration for these events are still open so please join us! Meet Ariane, spend an enjoyable morning in nature, and make a difference for those in Kijigari, Azawak by raising funds to finish the Well of Love borehole.

Register Now! Chantilly/May 14th

Register Now! Lake Frank/May 15