Documenting Matrifucal Best-Practices in the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

(A Summary of the Report Submitted to the United States Department of State)
by Ashley Kurpiel

This summer I ventured out to the middle of the Sahara Desert to do research in the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria. The Saharawi refugees are a unique group of people who have endured much suffering within their 30 years of exile from their home country, Western Sahara. After the Moroccan invasion of 1975, the Saharawi were forced out of their home and into the Western part of Algeria. With an estimated 160,000 refugees living in the Tindouf region of Algeria, the crisis has been an uphill battle for the Saharawi. After fleeing from their homeland, and the majority of males gone to war, the demands placed on the women were great. Problems with food, water, shelter, health, education and the task of raising their families are priorities that international aid groups, such at the Red Crescent, the United Nations High Council for Refugees (UNHCR), and the World Food Program have been working hard to overcome.

I worked under an organization called League for Hope and for the SADR government. My main purpose was to study the development that has occurred over the Saharawi’s time in the camps. This was an intense project as I had to work with so many members of the society, the majority of whom did not speak English. Fortunately, there were translators available to me, who in turn, became close friends.

During my two months in the camps, I lived with a family in their tent. I learned to speak their Arabic dialect while also learning about Muslim culture and traditions. In turn, I taught English to my family and also at a local school. My tent was surrounded my goats, sheep and sometimes even camels. Families were found everywhere and they all seemed to take me in as their own daughter, sister and friend. Many mornings I would go up on the sand dunes to watch the sun come up over the camp and wait for all the children to come and visit me. For many, I was the first American they had ever seen and so they took special interest in what I was doing in their home for so long this summer.

Each week I would go with the family to pick up their allocation of food, sent from the World Food Program. This allocation consisted of flour, sugar, lentils and oil with 2100 calories per day (this number is used for emergency situations and is not meant to sustain people for over 30 years, as has been the case in this instance). During the month of July, the WFP cut their 17 kilos of food per person, per month to 5 kilos. I couldn’t believe this could happen so easily, but sadly, it does on a regular basis.

One week I was able to go to Western Sahara and visit the Berm that Morocco built after the invasion, to keep the Saharawi out of the Western portion of their own country, where all the resources and beautiful land are found. The Eastern part of the country is just like where they live now—desolate, hot, and sandy. It was one of the most emotional times for me as I heard so many Saharawi speak about their past lives and how wonderful it was before the invasion. Morocco has also placed over 5 million land mines in this area near the berm, so that no one will try and get over the wall.

My time in Western Sahara was also spent meeting Nomadic refugees, visiting the military men who are defending their country, and climbing into ancient caves to find cave art from thousands and thousands of years ago.

I also had the privilege of experiencing sand storms in the desert—an experience that I will never forget as I remember running for cover and waiting it out while tents were being blown away, roof tops were flying off of small mud brick buildings and sand was continually being whipped in my face for hours. Although we made it out safe, these storms have caused so much damage and even deaths within the camps.

Although it was 120 degrees Fahrenheit on average, I lived without electricity, running water or “necessary” amenities such as bathrooms, showers, and beds—which I found weren’t so necessary after all. I left transformed. Living among these people who have absolutely nothing yet welcomed me as a guest and then soon became my family, I understood how important it is for people to become involved in this unknown area of Africa. With that said, I am ready for more.

Right now, I am putting my research together in hopes of having an opportunity to speak with Congress, explaining the dire need for the western world to become an important component to help the Saharawi move out of the desert and to get their life back. My hope is to be able to continue to work with them and find ways to help improve their living situation while also making them well known to people who are willing to help, and hopefully teaching social workers about this desperate people.

Farewell banquet honoring Ashley and her friend Cayce hosted by SADR
President Abdalazziz and his staff.

Other 2007 Summer Stipends >>>