Every Monday we profile a Dow Live Earth Run for Water partner organization that works toward providing solutions to the nearly 1 billion people who lack access to clean, safe water. To donate to one of these projects, visit liveearth.org/give.

BARKA Foundation is a UN-affiliated NGO based in the US and Burkina Faso, West Africa. It is focused on the achievement of the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a single country - Burkina Faso, considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world. When BARKA's Co-Founders, Ina & Esu Anahata, first went to Burkina, it was to study and practice the ancient indigenous spiritual technologies which many shamans and elders still keep alive there today. This work changed their lives, revealed the truth in their bones and aligned them with life purpose. The loving care they received by the Burkinabe, a people rich in culture, tradition, music and wisdom, compelled Ina & Esu to do something about the chronic and vicious cycle of food insecurity, disease and extreme poverty in which they are trapped. BARKA Foundation was born.

Through its association with the Culture of Peace Initiative, BARKA became acquainted with the United Nations and received guidance in the field of development. The centrality of water in achieving MDGs became clear, as well as its connection to sanitation and hygiene (see WASH Coalition for more info), and the importance of implementing "Free, Prior and Informed Consent" when working with indigenous peoples in order to honor and respect their human rights, culture and identity within the process of development (see UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues). The UN also has an "MDG Tracker" to monitor the progress of attaining the broad set of goals. A quick look at the status for Burkina Faso indicates that goals are either off-track, lack sufficient information, or can be achieved only if changes are made. On Peace Day 2008, BARKA unveiled the BARKA Burkina Consortium, a collaborative effort designed to be the necessary change to satisfy MDGs in Burkina Faso. To learn more download BARKA's 2010 Vision Plan here.

The amazing part of the story is that Ina & Esu are ordinary folk, having stepped into a new life with a very passionate calling. To date BARKA has operated on an entirely volunteer basis.

In 2009, BARKA produced a 500-mile Walk for Water from the UN to Bangor, Maine and a 3-day "Peace, Water & Wisdom Concert & Festival" in association with the International Day of Peace to raise funds for clean water initiatives for the BARKA Burkina Consortium. The 2010 Walk for Water will be held in April in the US to coincide with Live Earth's Run for Water. Sign up for our newsletter to stay tuned to details and learn how you can get involved.
The BARKA Foundation will be drilling a well in Burkina Faso on March 22nd, World Water Day.
To support BARKA's work by making a secure online tax deductible donation, please click here. For more info, please visit www.barkafoundation.org.