A program of the Friendship Caravan, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Saleh making the first round of tea with his nephew, Moussa.
Camp Intatolen. January 2006.
Making the traditional three rounds of tea is an ancient tradition among the Tuaregs. Historically, having tea to offer a guest was a sign of wealth and nobility. Tea is always made in three rounds whereby the same tea is used for each round and only sugar and water are added for the second and third rounds, making the tea weaker and sweeter after each round. A traditional Tuareg saying compares the rounds of tea to life: the first round is bitter like death, the second is soft as love, and the third is good like life.