A journey into Chad: Leaving the 21st century behind

Traveling deeper into Chad, one observer feels as though they are leaving the 21st century behind. Life for many children in this region appears predetermined from birth, with their world confined to wells, pastures, and the desert horizon. The prospect of flying, attending university, or experiencing a major city seems remote for them. The pace of life here follows rules that have remained virtually unchanged for centuries.

The Sahara Desert, the world's largest hot desert, presents an environment that is difficult to imagine today. Thousands of years ago, it was a vastly different landscape with rivers, lakes, and abundant wildlife. Now, it is characterized by stones, sand, and intense heat, making the existence of life seem improbable. Yet, people have adapted, traveling long distances with their livestock in search of water during droughts, though not all animals survive these arduous journeys.

Water is a precious commodity, more valuable than money, in this arid region. The article describes a scene at a well where hundreds of people and animals gather. The traditional method of water extraction involves animals walking in circles to draw heavy containers from deep underground, a practice that has persisted for centuries. The author notes that if such a well were to dry up, life in the surrounding area would cease to exist.

Life in a small village nearby is characterized by homes built from mud, dirt, and straw, with wood being a rare and valuable commodity. Rain, often a nuisance elsewhere, is celebrated here as a miracle. Children jump in puddles, and adults watch the sky with awe. However, the rain also brings a new threat: standing water that breeds mosquitoes, making malaria a significant danger, claiming more lives annually in some regions than drought.