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Pure water to drink, food to eat, and knowledge. These are
the essentials of life, yet sadly lacking for so many.
RAIN begins its work with nomads in Niger by talking to them about
what they would like to do to improve their lives.
A top priority is to provide food to the state-run
boarding schools their children attend. Our school market garden program was
born. Parents prepare land, dig wells, and manage gardens at
their children’s schools. Cash crops generate funds to
keep the gardens going. RAIN’s gardens generate food
for over 300 students. (link)
People need livelihoods. RAIN helps them implement ideas for
community businesses so long as they give 50% of their earnings to
their school. We have grain-grinding businesses, general
stores and artisans’ cooperatives - - most run by women. In
2006 the women of the Gougaram artisan cooperative generated
$3,000 for their school.
Scholarship and practical knowledge go hand in
hand. RAIN
offers classes in health, AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases
and hygiene. After school volunteers teach sewing, straw and
leather crafts, crocheting, cooking and gardening.
Over 10,000 children and adults have learned
how AIDS is transmitted and prevented through RAIN’s theatrical
presentations and discussion groups.
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