Life is difficult in Niger: the country came last among 177 countries on the human development index of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Over 85% of the Niger population cannot read or write, making any type of development particularly difficult. Literacy training is thus essential to the country, and it is the focus of the non governmental organization Uniterra, whose work is supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

“Niger is one of the poorest countries among the poorest. Its illiteracy rate is very high! This reality has a direct impact on its low development level, since the population is not able to undertake projects and follow them through. What’s more, Niger has few resources: two thirds of its territory is made up of desert”, says Louise Camirée, non-formal education Project Manager for Uniterra.

Uniterra has been in Niger since 2004, building bridges between literacy organizations of the North and South. The NGO sends Canadian volunteers from the literacy network, but also regular teachers, community organizers and social workers, for example, since recruiting people who are willing to spend a few months in Africa is not always an easy task.

The goal of this partnership is to reinforce the abilities of the Southern organizations with the expertise of Canadian organizations and the financial resources allowed for this project. “We improve literacy programs, we provide training modules and educational tools, and we train educators properly. Often, in villages, we take someone who has completed elementary school and we turn them into an educator, with no professional preparation”, says Ms. Camiré.

Uniterra’s Canadian volunteers communicate with their Niger partners in French, the country’s official language. Nigerois educators then reach out to farmers in their villages and teach them the languages most-used in the country: Haoussa and Djerma.

Reaching Out to Women
In Niger, Uniterra ensures that women have access to literacy training, since they are the ones who need it most. Among the population, 20% of men can read and write, compared to only 9% of women.

“We manage to reach a client-base made up of 60% women. That’s good, because even though more and more men are open to the idea of their partner learning to read and write, some men still resist. They worry that women’s emancipation will mean the end of the control men hold over them. Women, however, are organizing and defending themselves", Ms. Camiré is happy to report.

A Taste for Learning
For Canadian volunteers, traveling to Niger to work on literacy training is quite an experience. First, as Louise Camiré points out, poverty is obvious. Westerners find it particularly harsh to take in the reality of a country that is so under-developed. At the same time, even with dire needs, the volunteers get a rewarding experience: they discover a country where solidarity and cooperation form the basis of everything – as opposed to Canada, where, she says, everyone is self-centered.

Despite their very harsh life, Nigerois want to learn. “They are extremely motivated. They are aware that education is the key to progress and development in their society”, says Louise Camiré.

Literacy programs usually last four months, with four hours of classes daily. “In Niger, however, women work a lot, whether in the fields or in small businesses. They are also the ones who go fetch water, often two or three kilometres away from home, and they take care of the meals. Sometimes, women are unable to free themselves during the day. This is why we sometimes offer evening classes”, explains Ms. Camiré. She adds that even with the heavy burden put upon them, women do not hesitate to take on more by enrolling in literacy classes.

Tangible results
If the people of Niger are so motivated to learn to read and write, it is because they are aware of the impact such a tool will have on their lives. “A whole new world is opening up for them! First, they will be able to read the newspaper. This is very important for a citizen, who can finally be aware of what goes on at home and abroad”, says Ms. Camiré. She herself travels to Niger a few times each year to see Uniterra’s results with her own eyes.

Literacy also has a positive impact on families. Once they have learned to read and write, mothers are better able to tend to the family’s health. “They can finally read their child’s health information”, Ms. Camiré points out. Furthermore, literacy in parents has a huge impact on the importance they attach to their children’s education. “When a mother has had access to literacy training, she understands why her children – including girls – should attend school. She can also support them through their own learning process.”