Magda’s trip to Mauritania in 2008

Magda on June 28th, 2008
In April, I took a trip to the country of Mauritania. Situated just below Morocco, this is where the Sahara desert meets the Atlantic ocean.

For a week, I lived in one of the poor areas surrounding the capital city Nouakchott, where I experienced the extreme heat and felt the sand between my teeth with everty bite I took.  I was deeply touched by the impressions of what I saw:
  • Scarcity of water, nutritious food, and grounded education
  • Oppressing heat in the midst of dust and dirt
  • Sickness and the inability to see a doctor or buy medicine
  • Rigid traditions that seem to prevent any possible changes in people’s lives
Walking the streets of Nouakchott, the capital city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kitchen ware, pots for washing and cooking

 

 

Despite the dignity with which many of the people here carry themselves, I was struck by the rudimentary conditions. I began to wonder, is there really anything anyone can do to help improve the lives of these poor people? Can all our efforts, as well meaning as they might be, truly make a difference for the people in these crowded village-slums?

Then I met the man from whom JustNeem bought the first batch of Mauritanian Neem leaves back in December. He has since become the propeller of the Neem tree planting initiative that JustNeem supports in Mauritania.

After hearing his transforming story and spending time with his loving family, I was convinced that, yes, there is hope! Yes, change is possible in the midst of despair.

The change will happen one person, one life, at a time.

 

 

– Magda

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