Jessica Wermter Savi
Jessica Runs the Sahara!
Fundraising for Sandblast Ltd
Story
Hey everyone this is Jessica,
Instead of receiving Birthday and Christmas presents this year, my hearts wish is your help with your donation - however large or small - to raise funds for Sandblast charity.
I will be doing a 10km sponsored run in the Sahara desert on 27th Feb to raise awareness about the Saharawi refugee crisis.
Sandblast is a London based cultural charity and their 'Stave House Project' caught my attention, because of the work they do to promote Saharawi education, art and creativity.
The Saharawi are displaced people who have been living in one of North Africa's largest refugee camps for over 40 years.
After watching the incredibly moving 'Life is Waiting' documentary, I became aware of the Saharawi people's struggle, and I strongly recommend it, its a truly great watch!
The Saharawi cultural movement, strong senss of identity and unique musical talent is what entirely captivated me!
So if you want to join me in supporting the Stave House Project building more schools in the camps, training teachers, providing education for the Saharawi children and funding creative arts and music education, please donate!
The best birthday present I could wish for
is a donation, however much, if its just £1 or £100!
Here's an idea of the impact of your donation:
- £30 provides school materials for one child annually
- £ 50 provides set of classroom instruments
- £100 pays the monthly salary for one local teacher
- £250 pays to buy Stave House teaching materials for a new centre
I am very excited to go and visit the Saharawi camp, get to know some of the people, see the creative projects and schools and listen to the music!!
And of course Run The Sahara!
Thank you so much for your support.
Love,
Jessica
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and there's more info below:
More about the Saharawi people:
The Saharawis are a displaced people originally from Western Sahara but have been oppressed and forced out of their territory by Morocco since the 70s.
A 2,700km long, 3m high barbed wire fence surrounded by landmines cuts them off from their own lands, and around 300,000 Saharawis have been to living in refugee camps in Southwestern Algeria for the past 40 years.
They have opted for peaceful resistance in the face of oppression and violence and chose to spread awareness of their struggle through cultural activism instead or war instead of violent retaliation.
Now - ironically- due to Trump's UN budget cuts,
international pressure is on thisong overlooked issue!
A Saharawi referendum to govern their own country might actually soon happen ...
The Saharawi attitude encompasses everything I believe in, which is why I am so passionate about going to visit the camp, the schools and learn more about Saharawi music, culture and language!!
Those of you who are familiar with my work, know that my sense of adventure and love for culture and languages are driven by my passion for volunteering and activism.
Which is why I am so excited by the opportunityto create awareness by
taking part in their even!
Also here is some further information and links about Sandblast's work and the Saharawis:
Culture:
www.sandblast-arts.org
Music:
Mariem Hassan - Ana Saharaouia
https://youtu.be/IAe6XuWpFIU
Film trailer:
Life is Waiting - Referendum and Resistance in Western Sahara"
https://youtu.be/kp5nCXl0wp8
Politics:
www.wsahara.org
The Saharawi people were forced out of
Western Sahara (a Spanish colony south of Morocco)
in the 70s as part of the international decolonisation policies.
They weren't given a right to Self - Determination, i.e.
The moroccan government built a 2,700km fence, 3m high
laced with landmines around 2/3 of the land, forcing almost
300,000 Saharawis to be displaced to refugee camps.