In 2016, we focused on bringing livelihoods to our mentors. Now, each woman receives a monthly stipend of $8.50 from RAIN. With Savings & Loan Groups and goat herds the women will earn more than the stipend. They will be empowered to continue their mentoring program through the years with no investment from RAIN except providing advice as needed.
At the primary school level 145 mentors are helping 450 girls and 125 at-risk boys to attend 23 village schools and succeed there – we need to add 30 mentors in 2017 year to enable 150 more girls to thrive in primary school – and go beyond to secondary school;
There are 25 scholarship students at the Agadez Learning Center, who with RAIN housing, meals, tutoring and mentoring support have access to secondary education that is beyond reach for rural and nomadic students;
There are 220 women in 3 garden cooperatives growing crops organically, learning about vitamins and cooking with nutritious vegetables;
Fifteen communities continue to have access to water with RAIN wells – water that also improves food security through garden irrigation.
Savings & Loan groups are the next step to financial independence for mentors and other women in our partner communities. Once trained, women will not only run their own S&L groups, some will go on to become community trainers.
Please donate today – online or by sending your check or donating online. You may choose to sponsor a student at the Agadez Learning Center or donate any amount and let us choose the program that needs it most. It is your donation that will make this progress possible.