Taleb visits a family garden

The family gardens have been the primary focus of the project from its inception. In the fall of 2009, we helped 30 families in the camp of Auserd plant gardens at their homes and showed them how to plant carrots, beets, turnips, zucchini, and onions, as well as Moringa and fig trees. In the fall of 2010, we added 30 more families to the project, teaching the same basic skills. At that time, we also gave each family a greenhouse and began teaching them how to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, eggplant, and for a few interested families, green beans and peas.

A greenhouse

Education, to us, is one of the most important parts of this project. Teaching someone how to grow vegetables is not something that can be done in one session. In the early stages of the project, our agriculturalist, Taleb, made regular visits to all the families to monitor their watering habits, show them how to prune when necessary, and answer whatever questions they had. The fall of 2011 was the third growing season for the initial families, and they have become much more independent. In order to ensure continuing support for each family, we’ve recruited members from six of the families with the best gardens to make regular rounds and offer local support as needed. This has also freed up Taleb to work on other parts of the project.

View of Essalam garden

The garden at the Essalam English Center has come a long way in 2011. The vegetable garden on the south-east side now has a large (13′ x 40′ or 4m x 12m) functioning greenhouse. The west side has a decorative garden under construction, with about 18 trees planted, drip irrigation installed, and and about half of the pathways are now stone-lined. The entrance, on the north side, is fenced in, with two huge planters, and it sounds like four trees were just planted at the end of January. And finally, the courtyard now has a larger trellis for grape vines, which are growing well. There still remains, though, quite a bit of work!

Taleb visits an elementary school

Visiting elementary schools to teach children how to plant Moringa trees at their home was not part of the original vision of the project, but it’s probably my favorite part. Our first stab at this part of the project was in the fall of 2010, when someone on our team (Lacey, I think) wanted to do an art project in the schools and someone suggested decorating bottles and planting Moringa seeds in them. It was a lot of fun, but it doesn’t appear many (or any) of the seeds became successful trees. So, this past fall, we planted about 500 seedlings in the greenhouse at the English Center, and started visiting elementary school classes when they got big enough to transplant. Taleb did a wonderful job in the classes, teaching the kids how to care for the trees at home and about the nutritional benefits of the leaves. We then had each class plant two trees outside of their classroom to make sure they new what they were doing when they got home, and to beautify the school.

Taleb teaches school children how to plant Moringa trees

We still have a lot of work left to do, at the English Center, in the elementary schools, and of course supporting the family gardens in Auserd. It’s worth it, though. I don’t know of a more practical way to share God’s love with a people who have come to feel neglected by the world.

Grapevines in the Essalam courtyard

Class levels stretched from brand new beginners all the way to our top class who is almost about to graduate! This is our first class to graduate after having gone all the way through our English program. Other students in the past had tested in at a higher level, but these four girls will be the first to come in as beginners and graduate at a near fluent proficiency.

In addition to our normal English classes, 6 other students have been participating in a teacher training class. One of our goals at Essalam is to produce teachers who can then turn around and teach their own people from the skills they have learned. It sure is exciting to see your own students teaching others! Of this group, half of them should be ready in a few months to take on their own class!

Our current teachers are gearing up to head back and start our spring semester in just a few weeks! If you are interested in sponsoring a teacher or donating supplies and/or funds, check out the ‘donate’ page on our website!

Also, watch Javier Bardem’s interview with ABC News regarding the Saharawi.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 was to have been the day that I was to have spoken at the UN Fourth Committee. Well……once again, the PLAN changed. Here’s what happened.

I was scheduled to be the 4th presenter for the Western Sahara issue. Exciting…thinking that all my pressure would be done as of Tuesday evening.

Think again…

I had been in contact the past couple of months with a film crew that was doing a documentary on the Saharawi. They had been pointed our direction to do an interview for the documentary, getting an American’s perspective of the situation. So, they had decided to time their visit to the US to this week, so as to also experience the IV Committee’s focus on the issue. The interview would happen in New York. I was notified that the film group would be at the IV Committee proceedings Tuesday afternoon, so the interview would most likely happen then.

Think again…

At 3:00, as the proceedings were about to begin, I was approached by two Saharawi Ambassadors for the UN. They told me that the film group had indeed come, and that they would be coming to the proceedings room around 4:30. (The way things go, other “colony” issues are presented before Western Sahara, as WS always stretches into 2 or 3 additional afternoons. So, there’s always a long wait before they get to WS. (Remember, I was to be #4.) One of the Saharawi Ambassadors asked me something about meeting the film people at that time. I said that would be fine.

Think again…

I guess at this point I should MENTION that the star of the documentary is Javier Bardem, a very popular actor from Spain who has been in a lot of films, including Eat, Pray, Love, and had won an Oscar for No Country for Old Men. He’s been to the camps and has become a strong advocate for the Saharawi. I hadn’t expected that he’d be in New York. I was just thinking his crew was coming for some American interviews.

Think again…

At 4:30, there was a sudden flurry of activity in the back of the large UN room, and it swelled with A LOT of people. A couple rows behind me, I noticed four people had sat down, one of whom especially caught my eye. Soon the whispers caught my ear… the man was Javier Bardem. Then, the Saharawi Ambassador was talking with them, pointing my way, and there was all this looking, pointing, and whispering going on with “the four” and the Ambassador…all in my direction. I figured it was about the upcoming interview.

Think again…

The first speaker for the WS issue was about to begin. So, I quickly got up to check with the woman of “the four”…assuming that she was the one with whom I’d been communicating. As I approached the woman, all four turned to me, shaking my hand and all saying “Thank you” repeatedly…especially Mr. Bardem.

Think again,..

Slowly it dawned on me that I had misunderstood something the Ambassador had said to me. I had unwittingly agreed to swap my #4 slot with Mr. Bardem, because he had to fly out that evening and he was #62! They kept saying, “Are you sure? Thank you! Are you sure?”… Honestly, my heart sank. The way things go, #62 could very possibly slide into Friday, and I’d be gone, missing it all together. But it was done. I just went along with it, as I think I’ve been around the block with Divinely Orchestrated “oops” moments to know there are NO “oops” moments with the Lord.

After a couple more very warm interactions with Javier and his team, I headed to my seat to listen to him speak. I was struck with his very personal, humble, sincere, eye-to-eye manner. And as I settled into my seat, I was aware of all the on-lookers…especially the Moroccan crowd. It appeared to the room that Javier and his team were well-acquainted with me. I can only guess the assumptions being made……but I’m sure there was a sense of frustration from that side of the room as Javier Bardem took my place and began speaking about the Saharawi. And as my own mind swirled with the sudden turn of events, I realized that he was making all the main points that had been in my speech. But coming from the mouth of someone of his stature and popularity, it was HUGE. I knew God was smiling. I realized I was listening to the points I’d sensed God had wanted me to make. . . but they were coming from a person who had the FULL attention of everyone there. The sense of God’s hand in this was becoming more obvious.

After his speech, there were more conversations, and he took a copy of my speech, reading it as he continued to listen to following speakers. Then, near the end of the session, he was suddenly next to me, once again shaking my hand and talking very personally about the afternoon’s experience. . . and the Saharawi . . . and our work in the camps.

As Javier Bardem left the room…with ALL eyes on him, (and some rather crooked scowls from the Moroccan contingency) his main assistant told me that he (the assistant) would still be at the proceedings Wednesday, giving a speech himself, and that the documentary crew would do an interview with me at that time.

I ended up switching with the Saharawi Ambassador, which moved me up from #62 to #26 and allowed me to speak during Wednesday’s proceedings.

As the afternoon’s proceedings were about to begin, I was informed that I would again be the fourth petitioner to speak about the Saharawi and Western Sahara. Going over my speech for the umpteenth time, I was interrupted by a young woman with a charming Spanish accent. It was the woman from the Spanish film crew with whom I had been communicating for a few months. She explained to me that her team would interview me about my perspective on the Saharawi situation in about an hour…after my speech and the speech of the Producer/Director of the documentary film being done by Javier Bardem. Much to my surprise, he was again seated behind me. I had expected him to be in Washington, DC, but he had changed his schedule in order to remain in NY for one more day.

As I was called to speak, the room was again buzzing because of the Academy Award- winner’s presence. But as I began telling the story of the tragic events in Western Sahara last Fall, the room quieted. I felt unusually calm and confident as I painted the word picture of the military attack carried out against the Saharawi in their homeland last November, the day after the 5th Religious Dialogue had concluded in the refugee camps. Real-life, true stories are a very powerful way to grab the attention of people of all ages, in all circles of life. They were listening.

Not long after my speech was finished, Javier Bardem and his film entourage left the conference room, and I was told that they were going to have a quick lunch, and then someone would come and get me for the interview. Soon the young woman from Spain appeared, indicating that I should follow her. As I arrived at the place of the interview, I was led into a well-lighted spot in front of a growing circle of photographers and cameras. I had not expected this! (If I had known, I would have surely made a looong stop at the women’s restroom for some major “arrangements” to be made on my head! A morning of walking in the wind had not produced the desired “look”, to say the least.) To top it all off, instead of the anticipated film crew interviewer, here stood Javier Bardem with the microphone, explaining to me where to stand, and to just look at him (!), relax and answer his questions. Relax. Right.

He began with explaining the “big switch” we had made, for him to become #4 and me to become #62. It seemed to really have impacted him. They said it had been written into the documentary itself. He then commented on the name of our organization, Not Forgotten International, (he uses “forgotten” terminology a lot concerning the Saharawi) and asked what we did and how long we’ve been involved with them. He asked what role the US could play to help the situation. Then, he asked what was the most terrible thing and the most beautiful thing I had experienced in the camps. The last two questions, in their simplicity, touched me deeply. As I answered, we both had tears of love and sadness for the people of Western Sahara who had touched our hearts so deeply.

When the interview concluded, we shared a few more minutes as the crew packed up their equipment and headed out the door. But his final, “God bless you for what you are doing,” confirmed to me that God had ordained this man of great influence to let his heart be touched by these “forgotten” people. He is committed to actively using his voice and presence to stand for and with them. The Saharawi have never had someone of such popularity standing with them…actively, strongly, using the venue that has brought him such fame to turn the attention to a people that most of the world has forgotten. Once again, God has clearly reminded me that He has not forgotten them…that He is doing many things to push back the darkness that has tried to destroy them. He is working. And He will use anyone to accomplish His Purposes for His Kingdom…even the most unlikely.

What an incredible God we serve. I have no idea what may come of all this. But I DO know that God orchestrated something in that huge room of influencers that came from His Heart of love, compassion, and justice. . . and that the Saharawi continue to be in His Purposes. . .and that He is unrelenting in His pursuit of me, too. And what He comes up with is always AMAZING…far beyond what we can ever imagine. Sometimes it’s just plain FUN.

If you would like a copy of Janet’s speech, simply email and ask. We’ll send it to you.

Title I

DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCY DEPARTMENT OF STATE

MOROCCO. -   Prior to the obligation of funds appropriated by this Act under the heading: “Foreign Military Financing Program” for assistance to Morocco, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations on steps being taken by the Government of Morocco to:

(1)    Respect the right of individuals to peacefully express their opinions regarding the status and future of the Western Sahara and to document violations of human rights;  and

(2)    Provide unimpeded access to human rights organizations, journalists and representatives of foreign governments to the Western Sahara.

(The full text of this bill is available at opencongress.org.)

Layman’s explanation:

The US has granted funds for many years to Morocco to support their military, as Morocco is a long-time friend of the US.  Before future funds can be given to Morocco’s military by the US government, the Secretary of State will have to give our government a report about how Morocco is doing 2 important things:

(1)     The people of Western Sahara must be able to freely express their opinions in a peaceful manner about their destiny as well as how they are treated by Morocco.  If you recall, there have been many Saharawi imprisoned, tortured, and killed for speaking out against Morocco’s occupation of their homeland of Western Sahara.  This peaked in November, 2010, when a “tent city” demonstration of thousands of Saharawi was violently destroyed by Moroccan troops.  These actions will now affect Morocco’s access to funding from the US.

(2)    For decades, since Morocco took occupation of Western Sahara, “objective eyes” have been kept out of the Saharawi’s homeland…..organizations like human rights watchers, foreign government representatives, and journalists.  This has kept  the truth of what has been done to the Saharawi away from the world’s awareness.

We are very happy to see that the US is taking this stand.  The Saharawi are thrilled.  They have longed for America to use its influence to help end the decades-long oppression of those living in the Homeland.  They have longed to be able to have a voice as to the future of their homeland….whether to be an independent nation or to become part of Morocco.  This ruling by the US Congress is a wonderful start in changing the stalemate that the Saharawi have been caught in for 37 years.

 Thank you to all who have used your voices to speak to our government, and for using your voices to speak to God on the behalf of the Saharawi.

There seemed to be a particular individual among the Algerian Imams that was well versed in the Quran and the other Holy books. He spouted out scriptures from the Bible and seemed to have many of them memorized. He asked challenging questions, and also challenged our team of Americans to convince him of who Jesus was. He seemed to be the most out spoken and the leader of the group. Wow! I prayed for our team as they did their very best to answer his questions and did not get riled by some of his responses. They handled themselves better than I could have in a million years.

One of the first nights, we had a delicious dinner together. Our American team of experts and Essalam school staff sat among the Algerian and Saharawi Imams. It was nice to have some informal time to spend with them, and get to know them on a more personal level. I sat next to some of the Algerian Imams, and they seemed very interested in where I was from (most people think I am Saharawi) and what I was doing here. An Imam that sat two seats away from me seemed very interested, and leaned over the other two Imams that sat beside me, to have a conversation. After a while of trying to talk to him over the other two he finally got up, moved them over and sat next to me.

Oh my! Now that I got a closer look at him, this was the Algerian Imam who had challenged our team to convince him of who Jesus was. And now he was sitting right next to me. He mentioned how he’d tried to contact several “Christian” groups in the U.S., but no one ever got back to him. I asked him (not knowing the door I was about to open) what he had asked them. He had three questions, “Is Jesus God? Is He the son of God? And did He die on the cross?” You know simple questions….. We were interrupted by a couple of our team members giving a speech, thanking everyone for coming and participating in the dialogues. I was grateful for the interruption. I truly needed the Holy Spirit to give me the right words, and I needed them quickly.

After they were done, I turned to my new friend and said, “I cannot answer your questions. Only God can answer your question and reveal to you who Jesus is. But what I can do is pray for you. That God would reveal the truth to you.” I asked him if I could pray for him right then and he said yes. I prayed for him right there at the dinner table. I stumbled through some words and basically asked God to show my new friend who Jesus really was, through his Word, a dream or a vision, and thanked God that I was able to meet and talk with him. Then he then looked at me and said, “Can, I pray for you? Just a short prayer though.” I said of course. This was his prayer, “God, please show us the straight path. Amen” Short but sweet. I thanked him and he thanked me and asked for my email address to keep in touch. Wow! What a night! This kind of thing doesn’t happen every day. But I was so grateful, my heart filled with joy and I felt truly blessed to have had the opportunity to sit through the dialogues and meet a new friend.

My brother and I had always spent our summer vacations with our aunt and uncle along the beautiful coast of our country of Western Sahara.  We would spend our days at the beach, playing, exploring and swimming.  Our parents would remain at home with their own work and activities.

I remember one day my uncle and aunt saying that we had to go on a great adventure.  Not wanting to create fear in us, they said that we would be taking a long trip, but that it would be fun for us.  And it must begin that very day.

What we did not know was that Morocco was at that moment beginning an invasion into the north of our homeland.  From the information they had, my uncle and aunt believed it was best for us to head toward the Algerian border to the east, where the Sahara Desert began its long stretch across North Africa.  Communication was very limited with radio and word of mouth, telephones being a rarity.  My parents, being far to the North, were assumed to be fleeing to the Desert as well…

Our “adventure” began with my uncle filling his car with as much food, fuel and supplies as he could pack in.  He would drive a fair distance ahead, and then we would follow the tire tracks of his car until we found him, with a tent set up and tea and food waiting for us. As we moved farther east each day leaving our Atlantic coastline behind, the landscape began to slowly change, and the vegetation and animals became part of the “adventure.”  My brother and I would catch lizards and discover other treasures of rocks, stones and bugs.

Day after day we would continue our game…following the tracks until we would reach our uncle’s car, eat our supper, and explore our new surroundings.   The smell of the sea became a fading memory, and the ocean breezes became hotter, dry winds that stirred the sands we saw stretching before us with less and less vegetation.  The adventure was beginning to lose its excitement……the games were becoming less interesting.

My uncle had brought along my bed pillow, and I began putting the pillow over my head each night so that my quiet crying would not be heard.  I remember the growing sadness…missing my mother and father…wishing they would come now, because I did not like this “game” any more.  I wanted to go home.

Our food began to diminish…both in quality, variety, and quantity.  I remember one day when we came upon a large group of Saharawi people who were also trailing into the desert and away from the invading forces that were  moving deeper into our homeland.  They were all eating a strange food that I had never tasted before.  It was something we had only fed our camels and goats.  They were eating lentils, along with bread that was dry, sandy, and had some bugs inside.  I could not be persuaded to eat what all these people were eating.  It made my longing to go home become even more painful.

Holes began to appear in my clothes, and everything was full of sand.  Still our painful exodus continued.  We would meet more and more Saharawi along our path, sharing bits and pieces of news that came from our various friends, families, and experiences.  When the last of our fuel was gone, we took what we could carry and continued our trek into the Sahara Desert.

At last, we came to a small hill dotted with a hodge-podge of tents made of bits and pieces of clothing.   My uncle set our now tattered tent at the edge of this little camp, where everyone was hungry…everyone was dirty…everyone was wearing rags.  I found myself wishing for a bowl of the lentils and disgusting bread. This was our new “home”……at least until we could return to our real homes……until we could be reunited with my mother and father……until we could return to our fields and flocks…and the sea.

The first morning, I crawled out of our little tent.  As a boy of 5 years, I remember standing up, and looking ahead at the scene that stretch as far as I could see.  Sand……barrenness……nothing.

And the questions came, that have yet to be answered.  Why?  Why is this where I have to be?  Why is this now my “home”?  Why us?   Why me?

I never saw my parents again.  We eventually realized that they had remained to protect our home, never imagining that this invasion would succeed……that the world would look the other way……that their two little boys were among the great throng of people fleeing to safety from the invading forces.

The temporary refuge we took in the Sahara Desert has stretched more than 3 decades.  And I am left with memories of a Homeland that, in all their beauty and happiness, daily threaten to torment my mind and heart with the haunting question of “Why?” and “When will justice come?”

L’aid (which can’t be properly pronounced by most western-language speakers) celebrates God’s provision of a ram for Abraham when he was about to sacrifice his son. It’s an event remembered by Jews and Christians, but only celebrated by Muslims.

Men sporting new Dra'as

I don’t know how it’s celebrated elsewhere, but here amongst the Saharawi, it’s the cultural equivalent of Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter wrapped into one. In preparation for the holiday, it is customary to buy new clothes to wear on the first day of L’aid. Then, on that first morning, nearly every family slaughters a ram, lamb, or goat and feasts on the meat for the next few days.

Mariam Hasan, the famous Saharawi singer, paid us a visit

Families come together for the holiday and spend a lot of time making the rounds, visiting more distant relatives and friends.

Our family decided to slaughter two rams this year. They said it was because there were a lot of people, so they needed a lot of meat. I think they just did it because they had the ability to do so and wanted to splurge.

You don't like to be petted, do you?

One of the rams was born just 1-1/2 years ago to the family’s ewe, and was named Phil, after me. It seemed a little odd to eat an animal named after me, but I got over it.

My, how quickly you've grown!

While I’ve been living with my family here for two years, Ben just joined me for the rest of the fall. It’s his second long stay here, and the family decided to give him the full Saharawi experience and told him that he had to help butcher Phil. They had actually asked him to help hold down Phil while they cut his throat, but Ben declined. He did, however, join in the butchering of Phil with the youngest brother in the family, A’ooly. And, it seems he did a good job!

After two days of meat in various forms, the family asked us to make ramburgers. We had made hamburgers from ground beef acquired in Tindouf the week before and the family really loved them.

Well done, Ben!

It was the first time I’ve made a meal here where I could tell every member of the family truly enjoyed the meal. This time, though, they wanted to try burgers made from mutton, so we decided to give it a go. Nana made some hamburger buns from scratch, Fatima and Zainabu ran some meat through the food processor (the only one I’ve seen in the camps), Christopher seasoned it with some Chicago steak seasoning one of us had brought, and Ben was the grill master. Kaylen and Holly helped prep the vegetables, and then Christopher and I fried the onion rings and french fries.

Typical L'aid meal

I wouldn’t say it’s as good as beef hamburgers, but I will say it was the most enjoyable meal I had during L’aid!

Ramburgers!

Sadly, like Christmas in the States, most of the population seems to have forgotten the meaning of the holiday. Interestingly, both Christmas and L’aid celebrate God’s provision. We’re here with the Saharawi, of course, because we felt God guiding us here. Whether we’re here or in the States, we are on the lookout for ways to help people come to understand God’s provision, whether they’ve never known it or just forgotten it. Please pray for all who are in God’s service, that we would continue to trust in His provision.

A traditional Saharawi teapot on hot coals

One of the most defining traditions of the Saharawi is the “tea”.  It is so deeply woven into the fabric of their daily lives, that it is unimaginable to go a day without it.  It is the time when families, friends, and strangers connect.  News is shared, problems are discussed, stories are told, history is passed down, plans are made, and jokes are told.  There is laughter.  And this happens many times a day.

My first trip to the camps was a time of going to all the families of the first nine children we were bringing to the US.  Each time I entered a tent, there was an immediate silent directive given to the best available “tea – maker” to make tea.  From a dark corner of the tent a round, silver tray standing on small legs, would be brought out.  On the tray would be a small teapot, a silver container of tea leaves, another silver container of sugar, and a cluster of very small, clear glass cups.  These were all covered with a cloth that would keep the sand out, and later serve to dry the washed cups and clean the tray.  The standard propane tank would be lit, and the small metal attachment that fits on top of the tank would be set in place to hold the teapot above the flame.

Whoever is available at the moment that a guest arrives or someone in the family wants to have tea is

A Saharawi woman pours tea

brought into the tent and everyone finds a spot on the carpeted floor, usually pulling up a small cushion upon which to sit or lean as the tea is being prepared.  We all sit in a circle which includes the person making the tea.  The tea-maker could be a man or a woman. . . whoever is most able and willing.

First, the tea leaves are put into the teapot, and then covered with water.  This is how the tea leaves are

cleaned.  Soon the water is poured off of the leaves, out of the pot and discarded.  Then fresh water is added to the tea leaves in the pot, which is then placed on the little flame.  Then follows a series of times when the brewing tea is poured into a glass, tested, and

returned to the pot.  Sugar is also being added to the little teapot of brewing tea.  As all this is going on, the rest of the circle of people in the tent are talking with one another.  Finally, the tea is deemed ready, and the first round of tea is poured into the little glasses.  Then, the tea in each glass is poured back and forth into each, creating a sweet foam that grows with each pouring.  The most skilled tea makers are able to pour the tea back and forth, raising one glass to quite a height and then pouring into the other,

Finished tea with foam

thus creating more foam.  I am told that the more foam you have in your glass, the more honor you are being given.

As the small silver tray is passed from one to the next around, each one takes a small glass and sips it slowly.

Then the emptied glasses are returned to the tray, which then goes back to the tea maker, who is already beginning to prepare the second round of tea.  This continues for a third round.  Each round of tea is made with the same tea leaves, which creates a milder strength of tea each time.  The first round, the strongest, symbolizes life = bitter.  The second round, much gentler and sweeter, symbolizes love =

sweet.  The third round, which is very mild, symbolizes death = soft.  It is a beautiful custom.  Many times each day, the routine of life is suspended, everyone is invited to come together in a tent home, where they reconnect with each other.  And woven throughout this time together are the tastes that remind each one of the harshness of life, sweetened by love, until the day when life on earth softly passes away.