Rain4Sahara
Brian “Barke” Nowak passed away in November. Brian was a former RAIN Director of Programs, devoted advocate of Niger, and a beloved friend. As a way to remember and honor him, we’d like to share a few words from some of the many people who were lucky enough to know him.
Brian “Barke” Nowak 1977 – 2021
Bess Palmisciano, …
Dear RAIN friends,
This past month, RAIN, friends, family, and the broader Nigerien community lost our beloved Brian Nowak. In Niger, Brian was known was “Barke,” meaning “blessings” in Fulani. Barke is a name he received in 1998 on his first trip to Niger as an undergraduate student at Boston University.
Brian lived in Niger for over 15 years – …
Dear Friend of RAIN,
Niger is once again in the news as an attempted coup was thwarted last week. The coup was stopped quickly and is being handled appropriately. Things have been calm since then and President Bazoum’s inauguration on Friday proceeded peacefully.
President Bazoum’s inauguration marks the first successful, democratic transition of power between two elected Presidents since Niger’s independence in 1960. …
Dear Friend of RAIN,
You may have read that insecurity has worsened in the Tillaberi part of Niger – with significant attacks in January and early March. Most recently, there was a coordinated series of raids earlier this week in which armed men killed 137 Nigerien citizens. Responsibility for the most recent attack has not yet been claimed. …
