Niger

Niger is a large country—almost twice the size of Texas—with a very hot and dry climate. The northern two-thirds of its territory lie within the Sahara Desert, and most of its 12 million people live in the semi-arid zone across the southern third of the country known as the Sahel. About 80 percent are subsistence farmers and herders who use the same production techniques that have been practiced for hundreds of years.

Niger's harsh climate, geographic isolation, lack of natural resources, environmental degradation, and rapid population growth make it one of the world's poorest countries. Most people Volunteers work with are concerned primarily with meeting basic needs that are taken for granted in much of the rest of the world.

At independence, Niger became a constitutional democracy, with an elected president and a National Assembly. However, there have been frequent military coups and a great deal of political instability.

A 1996 military coup led to the departure of many international aid agencies. In late 1999, however, democratic elections were held, and the new government of President Mamadou Tandja brought renewed stability. Tandja was reelected in 2004, and elections were also held for the newly created local government bodies. With the restoration of democracy, many international donors returned, and there has been renewed economic growth.

Peace Corps entered Niger in 1962 with seven Volunteers teaching English as a foreign language. Volunteers now work in agriculture, environment, community development, youth education, and health projects to help Nigerien communities attain household food security and to promote sustainable development. Volunteers in the agriculture, environment, and community health sectors typically work in small (200–1,000 population) rural villages, while community and youth education (CYE) Volunteers are based in regional capitals, small towns, and large rural villages. A few Volunteers are assigned to work with special projects and local or international non-governmental organizations.

All Volunteers, regardless of sector, are trained in how to promote HIV/AIDS awareness.

Last updated Sep 28 2008