Niger: Help pastoral children get a better education

Balkissa Tahirou has been an animatrice in Koffouno village since 2001. Her role is to promote education locally. Before the start of every school year, she visits families to convince them to enroll their children. She also promotes the importance of education at community events and celebrations.

She remembers when the first brick-built classroom was opened, which was built with Oxfam support: "It was a day for history. This has been a massive change for the better. At last our children can move out of huts into proper classrooms. They will be able to study much better. For us, this really means that the school is there to stay."

Niger is the world's second poorest country. Over a million children do not go to school, and those who do often leave after just a couple of years. Poverty, a lack of facilities, few qualified teachers and entrenched cultural practices combine to deprive children - particularly girls - of the chance of a good education. 

With your help, however, we can improve school buildings, train teachers and help communities get government support to ensure current and future generations receive a decent education. 

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Project aims

• Increase attendance and reduce drop-out rates by building and equipping six model classrooms, providing clean toilets, and encouraging families to send girls to school.
• Enhance the quality of education by training and supporting the development of teachers.
• Help communities to lobby authorities for education improvements.

How far does your money go?

• £150 could provide a school with a hygiene kit, essential for promoting better sanitation amongst children and putting an end to preventable diseases.
• £50 could buy 10 textbooks, essential materials for teaching adults how to read and write.
• £41 could provide a table bench for a school, improving the children's learning environment.