Rain for the Sahel & Sahara

RAIN's mission is to improve the lives of children and adults in Niger, West Africa, through locally developed programs in education, water resource development, agriculture and AIDS awareness.These programs promote literacy and economic security while sustaining vital nomadic traditions.

RAIN's focus is improving food security and developing ways for nomadic communities in Niger to support their children's schools. Boarding schools for nomadic children in Niger often lack necessities such as mattresses, blankets and adequate food. These basic needs must be met before parents can be expected to send their children to school. Schools with RAIN support programs typically see increases of 50-100% in enrollment during RAIN's first year.

RAIN installs school gardens which are self-sustaining and produce food for students. Cooperatives who work with RAIN give half their profits to their schools. These include women's artisan cooperatives, grain grinding businesses and stores.