Feeding the World's Neediest Peoples

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Feeding the World's Neediest Peoples

Written by The Prem Rawat Foundation

Thursday, 28 October 2010 08:13

Niger, a parched and landlocked country in the West African desert, is ranked by the United Nations as the poorest in the world –– and among its most destitute people are the nomadic Tuareg and Wodaabe tribes of the central Agasez region. These tribes, which have relied for generations on their herds of goats, sheep, and camels for sustenance, receive virtually no assistance from government or NGOs. Now increasing desertification, drought, and political unrest are threatening their very survival.

TPRF has given a grant of $30,000 to Rain for the Sahel and Sahara (RAIN), one of very few organizations that is helping these nomads help themselves. Headquartered in New Hampshire but administered largely by Nigeriens, RAIN is helping this disenfranchised minority overcome chronic hunger and its attendant diseases and high mortality rates. The grant from TPRF will fund three meals a day for 135 schoolchildren for a year. RAIN will also use part of the funds to purchase animal feed to be sold at cost to the area's 50,000 herdsmen.

Among the nomads of Niger, hunger is a constant adversary. According to the World Health Organization, more than half the country's children are chronically malnourished, and 12 percent suffer from acute malnutrition. Of those who manage to survive, half are afflicted with stunted growth, and 44 percent are underweight.

The ability of local schools to provide food for their students is crucial; it's the reason parents send their children to school rather than bring them along as they travel farther and farther from their traditional grazing grounds in an effort to keep their herds alive. "If there is no food at the schools, there will be no students," says Bess Palmisciano, executive director for RAIN. "Providing food for these students provides both nourishment and the opportunity for an education. Parents will send their children to school instead of keeping them at home to help if they know the children will be able to eat."

By purchasing large quantities of animal feed before growing demand raises prices, RAIN is helping Niger's traditional tribesmen keep their remaining animals alive and rebuild their herds—an important step toward food security and, ultimately, self-sufficiency without sacrificing their traditional way of life.

8 Comments

Nancy A. makes this comment

Feeding the World's Neediest Peoples

Saturday, 15 January 2011

This project is very very moving! To help these children and their families with food is so special; to help them help themselves is awesome! Thank you!!
Hernán Gamarra makes this comment

Alimentando a los más necesitados del mundo

Tuesday, 09 November 2010

A veces es imposible sentir la necesidad que padecen seres humanos porque nuestro día a día, nuestras pequeñas preocupaciones, no nos permiten podemos dimensionar que somos una raza privilegiada de habitantes de un planeta llamado Tierra, en el cual, en medio del vasto universo, la Divinidad monta una danza con seres humanos, y nos llama a nosotros a hacer parte de ella... sin embargo nos sentimos ajenos los unos de los otros, ajenos con nosotros mismos... Gracias por recordarme que hago parte de esta danza y que debo extender mi mano, para que se manifieste esa danza,
olga makes this comment

Alimentando a los más necesitados del mundo

Monday, 08 November 2010

It´s a serious poblem, but, due to this so valuable contribution, not so on. Thank you very much!!
Gill makes this comment

Feeding the World's Neediest Peoples

Friday, 05 November 2010

Made me cry, We are so fortunate, I'm so glad a little bit of help is going their way.
Jean Blake makes this comment

Feeding the World's Neediest Peoples

Friday, 05 November 2010

Beautiful Children - Beautiful Project - thank you for sharing this it really touches my heart to see the beautiful faces of these ever grateful Children
Tom Gannon makes this comment

Feeding the World's Neediest Peoples

Friday, 05 November 2010

Thank You for making me aware of this. I am always happy to help when I can
Susan Handel makes this comment

Feeding the World's Neediest Peoples

Thursday, 04 November 2010

Thank-you so much for this information--their eyes are so bright!
michael pang-larsen makes this comment

Feeding the World's Neediest Peoples

Thursday, 28 October 2010

Thank You for attending the needs for these beautiful people