Read about 2011 Accomplishments in our News Blog
Remember Niger is an organization dedicated to uniting people and mobilizing resources to expand quality educational opportunities in Niger, Africa.
Christmas 2011
Dear Friends of Remember Niger Coalition,
"Your feet go only where your heart leads" is a Hausa Proverb I first heard when I was in Niger this past July. The summer volunteers and I were discussing why we each had made the trip to West Africa when one of our Nigerien friends quoted this proverb. I remember thinking how wonderful it was that our hearts had lead us there! And, metaphorically, all of our hearts have lead us to Niger through our support, whether or not we have actually made the trip. We have been given an amazing opportunity to come along side of people who have a vision to positively transform their country through education. And, we are making a difference!
Bubeé is one of those people who envisions a brighter future for Niger. He graduated from one of the schools we support and now has a good job in the government. Bubeé is very thankful for the quality education that he was given and, through a desire to give back, he has served as the President of his school board for over fifteen years. He often talks about how grateful he is for the support we give through programs like student scholarships.
Last Spring, I had the opportunity to teach art classes at the Zinder Christian Primary School. When I went into the 5th grade classroom, I became aware of Houge, one of the young girls. That day we made African masks and I interviewed each of the students. It was clear that Houge was determined to work as hard as she could to fulfill her dream of becoming the directress of a primary school. Thanks to her father’s job as the Zinder school’s guard, Houge could attend school for free. The future was bright. And then ... in the spring Houge’s father died unexpectedly. Normally, this would mean that without a parent employed at the school, either tuition would have to be paid or the child would have to be withdrawn from school. Fortunately, the school administrators were able to offer scholarships through the Remember Niger Scholarship Program. Rather than compound the family’s grief by requiring tuition, these funds were utilized to enable Houge to continue her education.
During this season of giving, I would like to ask you to consider allowing your "heart to lead your feet" back to Niger through your support of the Remember Niger Coalition.
With gratitude,
Kara VanderKamp, Executive Director
Please consider a donation of any amount. Donations may be made using a check or credit card.
Remember Niger is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Learn more about the programs, people, the church and Niger:
President's Perspective
By Kara VanderKamp
I recently received an email from a supporter who is interested in going to Niger next summer. In his message he wrote, “I know this will be a pretty challenging trip, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.” Yes! He is absolutely right! It is difficult to describe to someone who has never been there how challenging a trip to Niger can be. However, it’s also true that the reward far exceeds the amount of effort and energy put into it. It is truly a life-changing experience. One of my favorite parts about bringing volunteers to Niger is that it gives me an opportunity to “see Niger” through fresh eyes. After living in Niger for nearly two years and working there for over five years, I have become accustomed to the scenery and the way things are done. I love how the volunteers point things out and ask questions about the culture, scenery, church, school and so on, which I had forgotten or had never really thought about before. I learn so much!
In this edition of Education Matters, you will get the opportunity to see Niger through the eyes of this summer’s volunteers. I hope you enjoy learning about Niger from their perspective as much as I did!
Footprints to Niger
For the past two years, the student council at Footprints Academy, an independent school located in Woodbury, Minnesota, has chosen Remember Niger Coalition as one of their service projects. Footprints Academy students collected school supplies for the students in Niger, and they have exchanged letters. In 2011-2012, this partnership will expand with a video exchange, art projects and more letters between the schools.
We are really excited to have the opportunity to act as a bridge between the children at Footprints and the children at the EERN boarding school at Tsibiri! This will offer the kids the chance to see what life is like in a culture vastly different from their own.
We would like to thank the teachers and students at Footprints Academy for their support!