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About Sahara Solutions Foundation, Inc. & NomadHope

Sahara Solutions Foundation Inc., a non profit 501c3 organization, has launched NomadHope.org programs to bring appropriate technology and engineering based solutions to nomadic schools and communities in the remote Sahara Desert region of West Africa. NomadHope.org is actively partnering with tribal communities such as the Tuareg and Fulani of Mali, applying technology and engineering solutions to challenges that limit or prevent access to education. By solving problems that prevent schools' access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, and daily meals, these communities can sustain and grow schools and literacy programs for their children.

Committed to provide nomads with opportunities to sustain their chosen way of life, NomadHope.org focuses on education projects that are team oriented, community sustained, culturally sensitive, and technology driven. Self-reliance through local accountability is achieved by engaging locally based NGO partners and their community members, assisting them with the design, acquisition, installation, training, and maintenance of each project solution.

International Voluntary Service Activities

Mali School Electrification & Water Project:

NomadHope.org is very excited about our project to assist six schools in the rural district of Essakane, Mali. They have a population of approximately 17,000, ten sedentary villages, and twelve extended nomadic families. The schools are located in the far northern region of Mali, just southwest of Tombouctou (Timbuktu). The majority of the population herd goats and camels to sustain their way of life. The schools are community-run, day and boarding schools, housing children from many of the nomadic families in the area as the family travels to sustain their herds.

The first school was created in 2005 and has been growing ever since. In 2007, thanks to efforts of the parents and a development partner, they were able to construct more permanent facilities. Another partner is currently constructing a block of 3 new classrooms, while another NGO Food Program supports the cafeteria. The APE (Association of parents and students) and several NGO partners have been sustaining the school since 2005 when it opened. Today the school consists of 3 temporary classrooms, 3 teachers, and 64 students (42 girls and 22 boys).

The community has no electricity grid and thus has asked NomadHope to provide solar-power and computers to the school, as well as to resolve some issues with their existing wells. It is our hope to develop a long term relationship with this school and 6 others in the area, providing technology and engineering solutions to further the nomads with their children's literacy and education efforts.

We are currently working with over 10 volunteers to plan and design the water & solar solutions for these village schools. We are always in need of passionate and available volunteers with project management, engineering, French translation, grant writing, and fund raising skills. If you want to travel as a volunteer, you must be willing to travel to Mali where there is no running water or electricity and the accommodations are primarily rustic camping.