Pagosa Springs Rotary ClubRotary is Strong in Niamey
Posted by David Smith
Rotary is Strong in Niamey, the capital of Niger
I just returned from a week in Niamey, the capital of Niger. There are 4 Rotary Clubs in Niamey, each with about 20 members. The list of projects these clubs have participated in is long and impressive. These projects include healthcare, education, water and sanitation, high-end agriculture and much more.
Life in Niger is generally harsh. The country is the size of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona combined. About 80% lies in the middle of the Sahara Deseret where the annual rainfall is usually less than 1 inch. A narrow strip on the south western corner, which includes Niamey, may receive 20 inches of rain a year, but it all comes within 2-3 months. Of course temperatures are HOT. Niger is consistently ranked as one of the poorest countries in Africa by the UN Human Development Index. Yet Rotary is strong in Niamey!
My host, Gaston Kaba, joined Rotary in 1988. While serving as president in 1993-1994, he inducted the first 3 women Rotarians in Niger. He has been involved with many international projects, which were sponsored by organizations in Germany, France, Canada, USA, Belgium and many other countries. Gaston studied at both UC Berkeley and SUNY Albany, so he speaks all forms of American. His father, Jean Kaba, was one of the original founders of Rotary in Niamey. During the great drought of 1969-1974, their Rotary club worked with 41 clubs in Europe to deliver 10 tons of medical supplies to those fleeing the expanding desert. They also created the Niamey Blood Bank and built a health center.
Life in Niger is generally harsh. The country is the size of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona combined. About 80% lies in the middle of the Sahara Deseret where the annual rainfall is usually less than 1 inch. A narrow strip on the south western corner, which includes Niamey, may receive 20 inches of rain a year, but it all comes within 2-3 months. Of course temperatures are HOT. Niger is consistently ranked as one of the poorest countries in Africa by the UN Human Development Index. Yet Rotary is strong in Niamey!
My host, Gaston Kaba, joined Rotary in 1988. While serving as president in 1993-1994, he inducted the first 3 women Rotarians in Niger. He has been involved with many international projects, which were sponsored by organizations in Germany, France, Canada, USA, Belgium and many other countries. Gaston studied at both UC Berkeley and SUNY Albany, so he speaks all forms of American. His father, Jean Kaba, was one of the original founders of Rotary in Niamey. During the great drought of 1969-1974, their Rotary club worked with 41 clubs in Europe to deliver 10 tons of medical supplies to those fleeing the expanding desert. They also created the Niamey Blood Bank and built a health center.
Gaston is currently working with the Carbondale Rotary Club on a global grant that encourages women and children to grow high-profit cash crops, like onions, lettuce, tomatoes etc. Areas that look like desert to me are leveled. A well is dug. A solar powered pump is installed. The women grow several crops a year and sell the produce locally. They keep 50% of the proceeds for themselves, return 25% to cover operational expenses and give 25% to their schools. Children learn the value of cash crop farming by caring for small plots of land. The project is going well and has one “Unintended consequence”. The divorce rate in families where the women earn money is in sharp decline!
Niger’s needs are great. Supporting Niger will give a high return on investment. A little money will do a lot. Given the strength and experience of Rotary in Niamey, we can be sure that projects will be well-designed and funds will be handled properly. I encourage anyone interested in starting a new global grant to contact Gaston (gaskab.kaba@gmail.com).
Niger’s needs are great. Supporting Niger will give a high return on investment. A little money will do a lot. Given the strength and experience of Rotary in Niamey, we can be sure that projects will be well-designed and funds will be handled properly. I encourage anyone interested in starting a new global grant to contact Gaston (gaskab.kaba@gmail.com).