Videos Timbukto "T160K Libraries in Exile" - Join The Movement To Save and Restore This Exiled "World Heritage Library" Hiding In A Conflict Zone (Dr. Stephanie Diakité and Dr Abdel Kader Haidara)

CBS Video (Feb 6/13), CNN Video Coverage (May 2013), Video Diakite UO Talk (March 2013). Dedicated to the protection, preservation and study of the ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu, the long-term vision is the return of the manuscripts to their home in Timbuktu and to apply the vast knowledge they contain to the peace process in Mali and in other places in Africa. T160K was co-founded by Stephanie Diakité, JC-JD/MBA/Phd and Abdel Kader Haidara.

Help preserve this global cultural heritage from immanent loss and become part of the great learning adventure of Timbuktu. In 2012, under threat from fundamentalist rebels, a team of archivists, librarians, and brave couriers evacuated an irreplaceable trove of manuscripts from Timbuktu at great personal risk. The manuscripts have been saved from immediate destruction, but the danger is not over. A massive archival effort is needed to protect this immense global heritage from loss. Though removed from immediate threat, the manuscripts are still jam packed in footlockers used for their evacuation and the current environment of this precious world heritage is significantly more humid than Timbuktu, and there are already signs of damage and exposure to moisture.

Donations will fund the preservation efforts required to store the manuscripts in an archival, moisture-resistant manner during their exile from Timbuktu.  If physical harm from the current packing situation continues, and if mold and mildew due to increased humidity spread in the corpus, the damage will be unimaginable. By contributing, you are directly funding the archival materials and labor required to save these works. In recognition of your support, we can ensure that your name or a personal dedication will be associated with these works in perpetuity, and we will provide you with a token of your contribution to keep as an enduring memento. This is a legacy that will continue to enrich our world, with the potential to advance the causes of peace and good governance in Africa and the world literally for generations. 

Play The Game: T160K Libraries In Exile 
(the library is now safely hidden but play this game to learn more about the continuing danger of wet and mould ... Keep the raindrops form hitting the books)

Read  UN News Center Timbukto Library More Damaged Than Originally Estimated (June 2013) and watch UN Video of June 8/13 Anthony Banbury visit to Mali - Timbuktu

US Library of Congress Timbukto Ancient Manuscripts

Images and Read the Ancient Manuscripts from the Desert Libraries of Timbuktu

View the Timbukto Ancient MAPS, In Space and Time

Read Smithsonian article (Dec 2006) and Time article "The Lost Treasure of Timbuktu"  (Sept 2009)

Read the Harper's Magazine article  (Feb 2013) and Christian Science Monitor Article (2008)

Read The Guardian's article (Jan 2013) and StarAfrica.com (June 11/13)

Read New Republic Article (April 2013) and The Next Web's article (June 8/13)


~~ Dr. Abdel Kader Haidara's message of encouragement ~~
 original French on the T160K web site

Supporting this campaign by contributing financially means that you are joining us in saving a piece of the culture of humankind.

Join us today in supporting the campaign and sharing information all around you. History will remember forever that you were there, that you contributed to the preservation of this world heritage; the Timbuktu manuscripts.

The T160K campaign is a joint initiative of Abdel Kader Haidara, Dr. Stephanie Diakite, and the T160K organization. The main objective of this campaign is to raise funds in support of the Timbuktu manuscripts that were evacuated to Bamako through the efforts of the SAVAMA DCI and its partners.

The efforts of Dr. Abdel Kader Haidara and Dr. Stephanie Diakité led to the creation of T160K for the conservation of the manuscripts of Timbuktu in exile.

 Since the beginning of the Malian crisis until the date of this message (May 31, 2013), we have received no assistance from any institution whether state or private. In addition, we thank SAVAMA DCI and its partners who enabled the evacuation of all of our manuscripts to the cities in the south of the country and supported their storage until now. 
Dr. Abdel Kader Haidara
ONG SAVAMA-DCI
Bacco-Djicoroni ACI, près du consulat du Sénégal.
Rue : 627, Porte: 1260, Appartement: A26 – Bamako, Mali

All Image Credits T160K