Mentoring for At-Risk Nomadic Girls in Rural Niger

Between the coronavirus pandemic, extreme weather conditions, and struggling local economies, 2021 came with its fair share of challenges for children enrolled in RAIN's partner schools. But through these challenges, students were still able to accomplish amazing things in the 2021 school year. 

Here are some of the successes we saw in 2021:

• 3,076 students enrolled at RAIN's partner schools, a 15% increase from last year
• Mentored students had a pass rate of 86%, a 10% increase over all students enrolled in RAIN's partner schools
• Mentored students experienced a 50% decrease in dropouts compared to all students enrolled in RAIN's partner schools

Mentors have also spent time working with whole classes throughout the school year in order to further improve enrollment and pass rates. The mentorship program has also begun to adapt to emerging needs with mentors providing additional support to students who are struggling most in school in any given period. 

Niger’s new president, Mohamed Bazoum, has highlighted the need for improved education for girls. He cited education as one of the country’s greatest weaknesses since independence and committed to increasing the education budget. Through our elementary and middle school education programs, RAIN aims to capitalize on President Bazoum’s commitment by forming strong partnerships with local parents, mentors, and communities to increase educational outcomes.

The systemic barriers that students, especially girls, in Niger face every day have resulted in less than 7% of adults and less than 5% of women having any secondary education.  By providing access to education and resources that help keep children in school, RAIN hopes to combat these barriers and build more resilient communities.  Your generous support is helping to build brighter outcomes for Niger's future women leaders.

You are changing the lives of both RAIN's mentors and mentees and for that we are exceedingly grateful.

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