Christel Pernet
President
"Les Puits du désert"
Christel Pernet has been involved in humanitarian action in Africa for several years. She founded the association “Les Ailes du Désert” in 1998, combining her passion for piloting and humanitarian aid in Africa.
The association “Les Puits du Désert” followed in 2002, when she moved to the Ténéré Desert in Niger. Her encounter with Mohamed Ixa would shape both of their futures.
There, she discovered the difficulties of life in the desert and found that most of the problems (lack of education, lack of food, infant mortality, etc.) stem from the scarcity of water.
Mohamed xa
President
Tidene NGO
Having founded the association “Tidène NGO” in 2004 to help the Tuareg people of northern Niger, Mohamed Ixa is a Tuareg himself, who works tirelessly to promote his country and, in particular, the Tidène Valley.
A renowned Ténéré Desert tour guide, he worked alongside Mano Dayak to organize thousands of trips through his agency until 2007.
Convinced that his region urgently requires access to water before it can focus on any other aspects of development and security, he is deeply invested when it comes to spreading the word about his people, their issues, and the associated humanitarian and economic challenges.
Ibrahim Rissa Ikssa
Director
Tidene NGO
Having grown up in the African bush, Ibrahim was sponsored by the association “Les Puits du Désert” and was able to study in Europe and the United States. Following a 2-year Master’s Degree in Management and Marketing, he returned to Niger to manage “Tidène NGO”.
He hopes – amongst his other goals – to convince Tuaregs from diaspora communities to return to the country, to support the local populations.
By sharing their experiences with these populations, they will create jobs for young workers, the rate of which is growing exponentially.
The Steering Committee
This Steering Committee is composed of 15 elected representatives who can be re-elected every 3 years, and a Youth Division comprising 3 students. Each member has an assigned role, and brings his or her skills and commitment to all of the association’s actions.
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President : Christel PERNET
Vice-Presidents : Nadine SIONNEAU, Alain DUPOUY, Karim JERIBI
Treasurer : Philippe OSOUF
Chief Administrative Officer : Sylviane MEUNIER
Director : Vanessa N'DIAYE
Members : Laurence BOBILLIER, Bernard AUBONNET, Michel DASPET,
Patrice DREVET, Jean Marc PAMBET, René SCHILD, Jean Christophe SIBELYA.
The Youth Pole
To promote the association within the student community and offer innovative projects, we have created a Youth Divisiob, entrusted to 3 future engineers: Calixte Gautier, Mahé Chaon, Théo Hoehnen
Our history
Our history is the result of rich and fortuitous encounters.
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2002 Christel Pernet met the Tuareg chief Mohamed lxa during a forced landing in the Ténéré Desert, while taking part in a humanitarian aid airdrop with “Air Solidarité
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2004 ”Les Puits du Désert” and “Tidène NGO” were created, and a partnership agreement was signed.
- Number of wells completed: 59
- Number of schools built: 1
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2006 The Lago Community School was built.
- Number of wells completed: 79
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2009 "Les Puits du Désert" and Tidene NGO were selected by the World Bank for the "Development Market"
- Number of wells completed: 121
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2012 "Les Puits du Désert" and Tidene NGO took part in the World Water Forum.
- Number of wells completed: 193
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2013 Phase 1 of the “Security and Development” Program was launched in the Aïr Mountains.
- Number of wells completed: 203
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2014 The Toubouheit School was built
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2016 Phase 2 Program "Security and Development" Program was launched
- Number of wells completed: 233
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2017 The Boudari School was renovated
- Number of wells completed: 250
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2018 The Egarwey School was built, and a solar-powered water borehole was completed in Tiffeye Ménial.
- Number of wells completed: 271
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2019 4 women's cooperatives were created, the Yoga, Maïguachi, Abaka and Intawagré Schools were built, solar-powered water boreholes were completed in Dangago and Abaka, and phase 3 of the "Security and Development" program was launched.
- Number of wells completed: 280
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2020 Solar drilling in Echkar, health hut in Intawagre
- Number of wells completed: 297
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The delegations
The 6 regional delegations, each managed by a member of the Committee, allow for closer relationships with the local communities.
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Aquitaine delegation
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Armoric Delegation
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Artois Picardie delegation
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Occitanie Delegation
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Provence-Côte d'Azur delegation
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Delegation Auvergne- Rhône- Alps