By Manvitha Kathula A Historic Return to Timbuktu In the final weeks of 2025, the historic “City of 333 Saints” reaffirmed its role as the soul of Malian identity. From December 18th to the 28th, Timbuktu hosted the Mali National Cultural and Artistic Biennial for the first time in its history. This landmark festival transformed… Read more »
When the Rains Come: Flooding, Fragility, and Resilience in the Sahel
by Tina Kusal Photo Credit: Fula Boy Every year from June to September, the rainy season comes to Niger and parts of Mali, bringing both hope and danger. Rural communities depend on this rain to grow crops, refill water sources, and support daily life. However, because of climate change, the rain has become heavier and… Read more »
The West African Camels: Heroes of the Desert
The West African Camels: Heroes of the Desert By: Dionne Roberts Camels live in the desert regions of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and are common in rural areas of Niger and Mali. The global camel population sits at around 41 million, with 1.9 million in Niger and 1.3 million in Mali. There are… Read more »
Winning the Water Wars
By Kris Wallace If you’re unfamiliar with the term “hydropolitics,” you’ll soon be hearing more about it. It’s essentially the discourse that decides where water stays, where it goes, and ultimately who has access to it. This discussion is becoming crucial as water sources across the globe—particularly those in developing nations—become increasingly vulnerable to exploitation… Read more »
WASH-Up Program Turns Children into Change Makers
Diarrhea kills more than 1,000 children across the globe every day. 60% of those deaths are tied to unsafe water and poor sanitation and hygiene. The good news is that when children have access to safe water, adequate sanitation facilities like latrines, and good hygiene education, their risk of water-borne disease and diarrhea drops dramatically…. Read more »
Discover Niger: 5 Incredible Facts About West Africa’s Hidden Gem
By Dionne Roberts Exploring the Heart of West Africa The Republic of Niger is the sixth-largest country on the continent of Africa and the second-largest in West Africa. It is a landlocked country sharing borders with several neighbors. Although it has the sad distinction of being one of the poorest countries in the world, Niger… Read more »
Joy and Purpose Through Service
By Jalene Jacob A Simple Desire When I decided to join Wells Bring Hope, I wasn’t entirely sure how I would balance part-time volunteering with my full-time career in healthcare. What began as a simple desire to give back quickly became something much deeper: a source of joy, connection, and purpose. I remember attending my… Read more »
Denim and Diamonds
On Sunday, September 21st, Wells Bring Hope’s founder and president Barbara Goldberg welcomed guests to the Club Room at Bel Air Crest. The theme was “Denim & Diamonds,” and the event featured music by Ted Kamp & Friends. With its cushy chairs and elegant décor, the lounge had a relaxed, laidback feel. With perfect weather… Read more »
Supporting Malian Health Reform from the Ground Up
By Jalene Jacob Mali has embarked on an ambitious journey to rebuild its healthcare system, unveiling a comprehensive plan that includes 973 recommendations across 68 strategic areas. This initiative aims to address critical challenges such as the shortage of medical personnel, inadequate funding, and limited access to healthcare services, particularly in rural regions. A cornerstone of… Read more »
Partnerships for Health: Lessons from Niger’s Fight Against River Blindness
Jalene Jacob Niger has made history. After decades of dedicated efforts, the country has become the first in Africa and 5th globally (joining Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico) to successfully eliminate river blindness which is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus (O. volvulus). Onchocerciasis, as it is formally known, is a debilitating disease of… Read more »
