ABOUT US Black plastic bags
During one of my first trips to the south of Morocco I saw this strange bird flying through the air.As I came closer it turned out to be a black plastic bag. Even the Saharan desert is becoming polluted. The delicate balance of the ecosystem of the Sahara is in danger and the oasis villages on the borders of these areas in Morocco are becoming engulfed with sand. Family Sbaï
In January 2003 I met the family Sbaï. I was impressed by their dedication towards the people and the area of Mhamid. During the years to follow
I learned more about the history, culture and nature of this area. Halim en Ibrahim Sbaï told me fascinating stories about the long caravan journeys of their ancestors between Mali, Mauritania en Morocco and I realised that again another way of life was lost. L'Association Zaila
"L'Association Zaila" is an initiatief of the family Sbaï and others from the area of MHamid. The family Sbaï help to keep the memories of the past alive for future generations as well as actively working on sustainable development projects in this area so as to help find a balance between life in the Sahara as well as the influences of the modern world as it is today. The booklet "Me and my Sahara"
Slowly the need to give something back to this beautiful area and it's people started to grow in me. The idea about writing a booklet for children developed during our many conversations as we talked about, for example, how to motivate people to take better care of their direct environment. The proceeds
The proceeds from the sale of this booklet will help to provide funds for the different projects of the Sahara Roots Foundation. Yearly there will be an up date placed on the website regarding the finances. Sahara-Roots
The Sahara-Roots Foundation has been founded to raise funds, amongst others also through the sale of this booklet in Holland and Morocco, to help preserve the Moroccan Sahara and help provide a better environment for the people living there Sales of this booklet
Through the sales of the booklet "Me and My Sahara" to visitors in this area we hope that they will become eco-aware of this delicate environment as well as providing a small donation to help preserve this beautiful desert landscape. Goals of the Sahara-Roots Foundation
-to work together with other foundations such as L'Association Zaila in the area of Mhamid
to help preserve the Moroccan Sahara and provide a better future for its inhabitants.
-to help the inhabitants of the Sahara become aware of their threatened environment-
-to give the children in the area the booklet "Me and My Sahara " so as to try and teach them about the delicate balance of nature in their environment.
-to help sell the booklet "Me and My Sahara" in the Netherlands and Morocco.
-to help find funds that can be used for example to plant trees such as tamarisk, in order to help fight the problem of desertification
-to invest in long term sustainable development projects such as planting of trees
-to provide help during the annual "clean-up" of the desert around MHamid
-to provide help and the means
-to build a rubbish dump for the inhabitants in area of Mhamid
-to encourage Eco-tourism. Why the name Sahara-Roots
"Sahara" because the village Mhamid lies is in the Moroccan Sahara
"Roots" are the origins from which we as people came
"Roots" are the roots of trees and plants
"Roots" are necessary to keep the sand in it's place
"Roots" are needed to keep traditions and culture in tact About myself
Since 1998 I have worked as a tourleader during hiking and culture trips in the deserts of Jordan as well as Morocco. My interest in desert areas was awakened during my five-year stay in the Middle East.I love to share my passion for the desert areas of Morocco and Jordan, as well as their inhabitants and their different cultures during these trips. Wanda Hebly 25th November 2007 | 
