Rotary Global Grant Application GG1977317

Pagosa Springs Rotary Club

 

 

The long-term solution to global poverty is self-sufficiency. Forty years of thoughtful research involving 70 countries shows a strong correlation between the rate of economic development and the science and math literacy in these countries. This correlation shows that aid to improve science and math literacy in under-developed countries is likely to increase the rate of economic development and self-sufficiency of their people. The immediate purpose of this Global Grant is to improve high school science education in Niger.

 

With a per-capita Gross National Income (GNI) less than $1,000, Niger is often listed as the poorest country in Africa. To understand the severity of poverty in Niger, it is helpful to note that Mexico’s GNI is $16,000. Sixty percent of Niger’s population lives on less than $2/day.

 

Eighty percent of Niger lies in the Sahara Desert. Average annual rainfall in Niger is about 6 inches. The average annual rainfall in the U.S. is 39 inches.

 

In addition to fostering economic development in this impoverished country, this project will build understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Niger is about 90% Muslim.

 

Despite widespread, extreme poverty and the lack of development in Niger, there are thousands of high school students in the capital city Niamey who are studying biology, chemistry and physics. These students will likely play a major role in the economic development of Niger.

 

This project will support science education in 4 high schools in Niamey. One of the high schools, CES LAZARET has nearly 5,000 students. Lazaret is a northern suburb, which is known historically for its refugee camp with many Tuareg people. The camp became the largest in the Sahel during the extreme drought of 1973-1975. Another high school, Collège Mariama, has nearly 1900 students.

Although the science teachers in these high schools are rather well-trained in the theory of science, they have no equipment and little experience with hands-on science. One of the main goals of this program is to develop laboratory manuals for biology, chemistry and physics. Science teachers will receive training through workshops and the supplies required to perform practical experiments. Each school will receive computers and digital projectors that will facilitate teaching large classes.

           

This program builds on experience gained through similar projects in Senegal, as well as through 2 visits to Niger.