Remember Niger Coalition is a small non-profit organization founded in 2009 that works at a grass-roots level to unify people and mobilize resources towards the goal expanding quality educational opportunities in Niger. Remember Niger is an evangelically-focused organization, and although Friends of Niger typically promotes secular activities, we encourage you to check out the good work they are doing in-country. We applaud effective...
Former PC Niger staffer (and Togo RPCV) Mark Wentling has just released the second book in his African Trilogy. Published by Peace Corps Writers, Africa's Release is available at Amazon.com. It will be made available as a Kindle e-book in the coming weeks. From Amazon: Journey to another time and place in Mark Wentling’s magical new novel, Africa’s Release. The residents of Gemini, Kansas, have grown used to the odd man who goes by...
A request for support from our friends at Les amis de Hampaté Bâ: Schools are nothing without quality teachers ! In 2010, YOU helped Les amis de Hampaté Bâ secure a permanent spot on GlobalGiving! Today, we need your help to supplement the wages of 14 teachers at the Amadou Hampaté Bâ School. There can be no educational development without well trained and effective teachers. To reduce the high turnover rate and have a stable and...
Mark Wentling was a PC volunteer in Honduras and Togo in the 1960s, and later a part of the PC Niger staff. He's written one book based on his life-long experiences, Africa's Embrace. Now he's finished his second book, Africa's Release, expected to be released this May, and he is currently working on a third for the end of the year. Visit Mark's Author Page on Amazon. Read more about Mark here on Peace Corps Worldwide.
A new two-year Global Fund grant of 10 million euros will allow the population of Niger, estimated at around 17 million, to access quality TB diagnosis and treatment services. The grant will expand and enhance TB services for more than 26,000 people in 200 treatment centres by 2015, targeting vulnerable populations, including those in nomadic communities, migrant groups and prisons.
Friends of Niger are terribly sad to learn of the recent passing of Barbara Kirker. A Niger RPCV serving in Diffa in the the 1960s, Barbara and her husband, Dr. William Kirker, established the Maine-Soroa hospital (not to mention Africare), forever impacting the lives of many Nigeriens. His Excellency Maman S. Sidikou, the Ambassador of Niger to the United States, has these kind words to say about Mrs. Kirker in this open letter to Dr....
As a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger in the late 80's, Leslie Natzke noticed that there were very few young women and girls going to school. Since then, she's launched a non-profit aimed at developing leadership skills in young women in West Africa to empower them to become pillars in their communities. Natzke introduces us to her organization, Expanding Lives. Listen to the WBEZ Worldview interview here on SoundClound. Full...
The New York Times reports in a recent article on the progress made by a group of surgeons -- with the support of Times readers -- who insisted on finding a way to help young women suffering from fistula. There is nothing more wrenching than to see a teenage girl shamed by a fistula, and I've written before about the dreams of a couple of surgeons to build this fistula center here in Danja. Times readers responded by contributing more than...
The Millennium Challenge Corporation hosted its quarterly town hall meeting on the 20th December 2012. At this meeting, the Board selected Niger for the first time as a country eligible for a Compact program with MCC. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) created by the U.S. Congress in January 2004 is a U.S. foreign aid agency that is fighting against global poverty. MCC has two forms of grants: Compacts which are large 5 year grants...
Reporters Without Borders has released its 2011-2012 ranking of Press Freedom around the globe, with Niger showing the biggest improvement of any country in the world. From the full version of the press release: Niger (29th) rose 75 places in the index, the biggest leap by any country in the world this year. The economic environment for Niger's media is very precarious but they are free and benefit from favourable legislation. Media freedom...