Hello from Moundou ! Two days ago, an important informational meeting took place in Belaba, where the group we are partnering with met us and sat through preliminary training. A total of 50 people came, either part of the group, or simply as curious people. I spoke in French while Kevin translated in Gambaï. The meeting was very positive, with lots of questions asked. We prepared tea the traditional way, using rice straw charcoal made in Doba back in April. The women, who know better than anyone how charcoal is supposed to burn, gave their unanimous approval.

First of all, we are in  Moundou since Tuesday and all is well. The project between the “Fleur de Lis” workshop and Livier is moving forward. Patricia has crafted eight different items. Livier and Patricia have already identified four articles that will be sold in the United States and France.

Following that, there was a meeting between the management committee of the Belaba group and ENVODEV  held on Thursday the 13th. The Belaba group includes 35 people. 12 of them form the management committee. This committee is responsible for the awareness campaign carried out among the local population about the relationship between the cutting of wood for charcoal and deforestation and desertification of Chad. The committee is already gathering rice straw for drying. We have had two heavy rains since our arrival in Moundou, but the rainy season is clearly coming to a close.

Finally, Jeremiah, a metal technician with whom we have worked for over a year, is preparing drums and molds for the production of chacoal, not only for Belaba but also for the group at Mbaibokoum. We will go there on Sunday the 16th for a demonstration. We will also give them the tools to be used for training after the rainy season.


More news soon!

Hello everybody, we have now been in N'Djamena for four days, and Chad will never cease to amaze me. Although technically it is the rainy season, the heat is already overwhelming (yesterday it was 40°C). Chadians fear the dry season that is approaching. Indeed, the rainy season usually lasts three months, but this year, the rains came a month and a half later, and unfortunately, the end of the rainy season usually ends in mid-October. Therefore this year, Chad will have seen a month and a half of rain – a very worrying situation. In addition, the capital’s diesel stocks are dry, forcing us to send Yanice into Cameroon, across the Chari River that passes through N'Djamena. Our departure for Moundou is hence postponed by a day (today instead of yesterday). The price of diesel has risen to 800 CFA (1.22 € per liter): for Chad, this is a fortune.

Meanwhile, the women’s group at Belaba was formally established yesterday. There are 35 women and they will be the ones who will set up manufacturing centers in Belaba and around Moundou. We are eager to start manufacturing tools and training women that have long been seeking for an alternative to charcoal, made illegal three years ago.

Thank you for following us! Help us in our efforts. We still need € 1,500 to launch the five charcoal centers we want to implement before the end of 2011.

David and his team arrived safely in N'Djamena on Friday. They had the opportunity to visit the capital Saturday and also to get some rest. Aquilas Dadje, David and Yanice gathered Saturday as executive committee to discuss their projects for this coming month but also their vision for 2012. Nicolas began to take pictures of Chad, including its variety of wildlife (birds, animals, lizards, etc.). Livier rested before getting to work and visiting N’Djamena. All are very happy to be reunited.