Niger
Foundation for Freedom currently has 2 schools in Niger
Niger
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking near last on the United Nations Development Fund index of human development. It is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, and strong population growth have undercut the economy.
A few interesting statistics:
- 4 years is the school life expectancy of a student
- 28% is the literacy rate (# of people over age 15 that can read and write)
- 7.5 children born to each women. High infant mortality rate.
- 3.6% of GDP spent on Education
Educational Challenges
Niger as a country is dedicated to the education of their people allocating 3.5% of their GDP towards education. Niger's per capita GDP is USD$312 which yields a $10 investment / year / resident for education. Hence the biggest challenge faced in Niger is funding for education.
Niger's government has provided city trained teachers and mid-day meals in the rural schools that the Foundation for Freedom support showing their dedication to education. Unfortunately with limited funds available locally these students and schools will need more help and that is where the Foundation for Freedom and you come in.
Using the Education for All framework UNESCO has listed Niger on the Fast Track Initiative (FTI) which is a set of selected countries in which leadership and commitment to education have already produced visible progress. FTI is a global partnership to help low-income countries meet the education Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the EFA goal that all children complete a full cycle of primary education by 2015.
