IRIN Africa | MAURITANIA/SENEGAL: Refugee Returns Resume

We are encouraged that the UN is again making this return of Fulani refugees happen, see below link to an IRIN report in Oct 2010.  The UWM in MALI helped this situation extensively from 1990 to 1995 when 18,000 of these Fulanis landed in areas north of Kayes.  Over 100,000 also flooded into northern Senegal, and while most have returned 'home' over 20,000 refugees remain in the border areas of the two countries facing Mauritania.  This article speaks of their plight in remaining and their plight in returning.  The UN hopes to move over 2,500 from Oct to Dec 2010. 

IRIN Africa | MAURITANIA/SENEGAL: Refugee returns resume | Mauritania | Senegal | Refugees/IDPs

UWM helped make initial reports in the fall of 1990 about their situation, and then worked long to alleviate the situation.  We also recommended that the UNHCR work with MALI's national church/mission association, AGEMPEM, and their social aid office, BADS, which became a very fruitful mission.  A sister agency was also much involved in the center of the refugee area.  A number of the refugees became believers in Christ and some have formed the nucleus of the nascent church in Mauritania.   My friends in the photo above, Abba and Boofo, met during these times, welcomed me, gave me lots of tea, & taught me tremendously about the Fulani culture.  Sadly both have passed away without understanding the gospel.

IRIN Africa | SENEGAL: One household, one ‘talibé’

This article about Fulani children appeared in an IRIN report this week.  Many efforts are made to help these 'Talibé' Islamic religious disciples.  This reporter speaks of a homegrown effort by families in a neighborhood of Dakar.  Reports say there are well over 10,000 of these begging & oft mistreated, students in the city!  Similar situations exist in other large cities of west Africa including Kayes, Conakry, and Bamako.

IRIN Africa | SENEGAL: One household, one ‘talibé’ | Senegal | Children | Economy | Education | Governance | Human Rights

UWM also seeks to help the Talibé children in another effort in the same city.  See 'Tad's Life' at tadhampton.blogspot.com for some encouraging stories.