Near East Foundation

People We Serve

Samba Maiga

My name is Samba Maiga, I’m 60 years old, and I was born and raised in the village of Monuwel in the region of Gandamia near Douentza. I’m married, the father of 8 children, and a farmer.

In 2006, our village received support from NEF for managing rice cultivation through the collection of rainwater. As the main organizer of the village association’s activities, I’ve been involved in every stage of mobilisation for the extraction and transport of rubble, and the construction process.

It was really with NEF’s encouragement that I began cultivating rice—before this, all my production was based in millet, and I bought rice to eat at the market in Douentza. Now, the rice production has yielded me more than 2,000 kg annually ; I eat a part of that, and sell the rest to cover my family’s expenses : I have two children in school, and currently I have no problem providing for their food and school supplies : rice flows readily, and whenever a financial need arises it is quickly resolved. This has greatly ameliorated the condition of our life and made us far less vulnerable than before.

I should also note that I have learned a lot about techniques for producing rice and its various varieties ; and these have made my life much more tranquil because rice is far more reliable and easy to grow than millet. Every year we add to the amount of cultivated land and gain more expertise as our experience increases.

Finally, I would also like to remark on another other positive effect of our new training : the use of purified sea water to augment the levels of our subterranean water supply, which was dwindling alarmingly before we learned to manage it better.

Infinite thanks,

Samba Maiga

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