Women's Community Gardens in Niger

Mentor Salamatou, the mother of four, lives in Nassile. In one of the last areas that supported diverse wildlife including lions, elephants, and hyenas. The animals are long gone; scrub-brush remains where forests once flourished. This poor region faces regular food insecurity and lack of water caused families to struggle to survive.

“Before RAIN came to our village, I didn’t know anything about gardening. Now I know how to prepare the soil, transplant seedling, and use drip irrigation with organic pest control. I work to produce my own vegetables. I sell part of my harvest and have consumed a good part in order to feed my family,”  - Salamatou.

When RAIN field agent Ahmoudou Mawali arrived in Nassile, he found soil resembling hardened clay and classrooms made of straw reeds, prone to collapse in high winds. Ahoumoudou was shocked when he visited a      village where people were drinking water from open wells that produced clay filled water polluted by animal excrement. He had NEVER seen this before. They had so little water that at times they would not eat dinner. Not for lack of food, but lack of water to cook their staple food, millet.

 Salamatou says “I have the leadership qualities and motivation to work as a community leader, reaching out to parents and teachers to encourage girls’. I sponsor five students providing home and school visits, practical skills training and general socio-emotional support and encouragement to work hard in school.”

Please consider giving today. Many communities just like Nassile and woman like Salamatou need your help.