Be a global steward. Join Wells of Love!

In the Azawak, no rain falls for over 9 months.
The region direly lacks sustainable sources of water.
People spend most of their time searching for water.

To all Students, Teachers, Parents, School Administrators and Community Organizers,

I am the Wells of Love program director for Amman Imman: Water is Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of the world's most vulnerable indigenous populations. Since 2006, Amman Imman has been working with and providing sustainable sources of water to the traditionally nomadic Fulani and Tuareg populations living in the Azawak region of Niger, West Africa – where one out of every two children die before age five, mostly due to thirst. Once water is available, we support communities with localized activities that provide food, health, hygiene and sanitation, education, women’s empowerment, and economic projects. 

Wells of Love students learn about children just like themselves
who live in very difficult circumstances, often struggling to
survive day to day. Students take action by doing creative
projects that raise awareness and funds.

On behalf of Amman Imman, I invite you to join our service learning program, Wells of Love. Through Wells of Love, we empower youth as stewards for our earth and humanity. We raise awareness about global concerns such as food, water, human rights, and climate change and provide opportunities for students to respond and help the people we serve. We sensitize youth about the needs of people and cultures with whom they would otherwise have no connection. Students are positioned to become environmental advocates, humanitarian leaders, and compassionate philanthropists.  

Wells of Love provides a structure that teachers can use to inform the minds and engage the hearts of students:

• We offer engaging presentations and workshops tailored for various age levels and group

  

  Students improve their fitness skills while
  raising funds during their Amman-a-thon.

  sizes.
• Our website provides online resources that students and teachers can utilize to tailor their own presentations and invent creative action projects for their community.
• We have activity kits with step-by-step instructions for organizing fundraising events. 
• Videos, photos, and supportive materials are available for students to learn from and work with.
• Our signature Amman-a-thon activity unites fitness and philanthropy, exciting for all ages.
• For those living in the Washington DC metro area, we sponsor an annual event, “A Walk for Water”, a collaborative family-oriented festival and fundraising walk at a local park in May.

Vegetables are growing in Tangarwashane's community garden
now that the village has water.

Students in over 100 schools have participated in our Wells of Love program and contributed towards building five borehole wells that now provide water to over 125,000 people.  With the help of students, lives are beginning to flourish in our borehole communities.  You can read stories about what Wells of Love students are doing on the Wells of Love blog.

I hope that you are interested in joining Wells of Love. You can either sign up online or let me know a good time to reach you to discuss further. I would be delighted to share our program with your students and possibly plan a visit to your school.  

Yours Sincerely,

Debra Kahn

Amman Imman: Water is Life

Wells of Love program Director

Placing 982 out of 1157, 9-year-old Siena finished the Water-to-Wine half-marathon in 2 hours and 41 minutes, running a 12:12 minute mile. Her dad, Ethan, ran alongside her. After she finished, Siena said, "It was super exciting! I want to do it again!"

Siena raised over $3,000 for children her age in the Azawak who make a marathon journey for water everyday. "I'm happy I was able to raise some money for the Azawak and help the people," Siena said. Contributions are still being accepted on her fundraising page: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/siena/sienashalfmarathon.

During the race, her mom, Monika, attempted to snap photos as Ethan and Siena whizzed by, and sister Aria helped collect their clothes and supplied them with snacks.

Siena spent the rest of the day with her family, including her aunt and uncle who came to support her at the finish line. She walked around town, stretched at the park and went to a bookstore.

She couldn't eat for a while, but when she did she ATE!  She had pizza and Ethiopian food.  She especially enjoyed a huge bowl of shaved ice with frozen yogurt in the middle with her sister, Aria. She was very, very happy!

Check out the race results here: http://www.capitalroadrace.com/results/2013_WTW_AG.HTM

Congratulations to Siena for going above and beyond her limit, 

and making a difference for the Azawak!

How did this indefatigable 9-year-old get involved in helping the Azawak?  Read the blog post!

Siena loves to run.
 On Sunday she's running for a greater purpose.

Nine-year-old Siena first became aware that there are people in the world who struggle to meet their most basic needs when she learned about the Azawak region as a first-grader participating in Amman Imman's Wells of Love program. Along with her classmates at the Oneness-Family School, she became very concerned that children in the Azawak hardly had a glass of water to drink, and were forced to spend their time searching for this most essential resource.

Through the school's annual Amman-a-thon, a fitness philanthropy activity that raises funds as students improve their athletic skills, she had the practical experience of turning her concern into action. Together the students in Siena's class raised around $3,000 by jumping rope, shooting baskets, hula hooping and other fun activities.

Aria and Siena's lemonade stand

But it wasn't enough for Siena. Determined to make even a bigger difference, Siena and her sister Aria organized a lemonade stand in front of their home to continue helping raise funds for water. That year the funds Siena, Aria and their classmates raised went towards Amman Imman's borehole and community activities in Ebagueye.

Siena did not stop there. When her family moved to California, Siena determined that she wanted to bring Amman Imman to her new school. With help from her mom, Siena made a powerpoint presentation and shared it with her 2nd grade classmates.

Now Siena is springing into action again.  On Sunday August 11 she'll once again use her skills to make a difference. Alongside her dad, she'll be running in the aptly named "Water-to-Wine Half Marathon" in Sonoma County, California.  We will be with Siena in spirit, following the race results, as she sets off on her course on Sunday.

You can help Siena turn Wine into Water!   She's set up a fundraising page, and so far has raised over $2,800.   Contribute by visiting her page on FirstGiving: