A few weeks ago I blogged about my trip to Mali and how clean water projects are positively impacting the lives of people in the region. I also shared some of the beautiful music I heard while there. Mali is considered the birthplace of the blues, and this soulful West African nation has produced many artists whose enchanting music has achieved international popularity.

The fabled city of Tombouctou lies at the edge of the Sahara desert in the largest region of Mali, also called Tombouctou. Originally founded over 900 years ago around a reliable clean well, Tombouctou was historically a major center of desert trade and the peaceful meeting place of many different cultures. The Niger river winds its way north into the Sahara and passes within a few miles of the city. Straddling the Sahara desert and the Niger river, Tombouctou has long been known as where “the camel meets the canoe.”

On my last night in the mysterious city of Tombouctou I had the pleasure of listening to the music of Troupe de Khalia. These musicians were so gracious to let me record their performance to share with ONE members. For this week’s podcast, please enjoy this new song from Mali to you.

Happy Holidays and best wishes for 2007.