Gender Equality Niger Project #4110

Mentoring for At-Risk Nomadic Girls in Rural Niger

by Rain for the Sahel and Sahara

Mentoring for At-Risk Nomadic Girls in Rural Niger

Project Report | Mar 10, 2021
Success Against All Odds

By Katherine Kolios | Executive Director

Peer networks create community and offer support

Last year was really hard.

As Covid-19 caused schools to shut down - in Niger and around the world - we worried about what would happen to girls who were out of school. Would they want to return to school? Would they be able to?

Families were struggling to put food on the table - would they marry their daughters off to ensure they were fed?

That might sound extreme but crises cause families to reevaluate their priorities. In Niger 75% of girls are married by age 18 and 23% of girls are married by 15. We worried that for girls who were already missing school, their families might not see any point in waiting.

We were wrong.

100% of students enrolled in RAIN's mentoring program last year returned to their studies this year.

It's too early in the year to have academic results but no grade-point-average could mean more than knowing these girls will continue to pursue an education.

Through your donation, you've helped to ensure over 600 elementary and middle school students receive the support they need to keep studying and working toward a brighter future.

Thank you.

We hope you'll continue to support this project so these kids have the support they need to keep going, throughout this school year and beyond.

Please also consider asking a friend or loved one to join you by matching your gift - we can go so much further together than we can alone.

Don't hesitate to reach out with questions. Otherwise, we'll be sure to send you another update soon!

Rakia builds confidence & looks toward the future

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