The Deadly Consequences of Unsanitary Water

By Catherine Cheng Access to safe, sanitary water is a huge problem in Niger. Water is scarce since the Sahara Desert comprises two thirds of the country, and Niger is a landlocked country. Water in Niger becomes contaminated for a number of reasons. The practice of open defecation is widespread. People relieve themselves in bushes,… Read more »

Niger’s River Wonders

By Elsa Sichrovsky While Niger is known for its arid desert climate, that doesn’t mean that there is a lack of wildlife. The Nile River and Niger River both flow through Niger, and these bodies of water support an abundance of animal species that thrive along their banks. Some of the most interesting species have… Read more »

The Cost of Economic Exploration

by Caroline Moss The government of Niger recently announced plans to reduce the size of one of Africa’s largest biodiversity reserves in order to expand oil drilling operations. The Termit Massif and Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve overlaps three oil blocs controlled by the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation. CNPC plans to build and operate… Read more »

Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

by Michelle Nelson von Euw Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Generally speaking, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a collection of 17 international development goals set by the United Nation’s General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030. These goals are sometimes also referred to as the 2030 Agenda…. Read more »

Climate Change and Life in the Sahel Region

by Raphaela Barros Prado The weather around the world is changing as evidenced by the many natural disasters and growing patterns of abnormal weather like droughts and heat waves. The temperature in the US for example, has risen by 1.8F, while the Earth’s average temperature has increased by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the beginning… Read more »

Sarraounia Mangou: Niger’s Forgotten Princess

by: Elsa Sichrovsky During the “Scramble for Africa” of the late nineteenth century, where European colonial powers rushed to conquer, and exploit the African continent, a powerful queen emerged: Sarraounia (Hausa for “queen”or “female chief”), leader of the Anza people in Lougou, Niger. Although, French historical documents give little information about this fascinating woman, the information… Read more »

Divorce in Niger: Fear, Hope, and the Struggle for Equality

By: Elaine Wallace  In a fascinating post last year, Wells Bring Hope writer Shayna Watson described how social media is changing marriage culture in Niger, in good ways and bad. One positive development has been the rise of new social media platforms that encourage women to pursue gender equity in their relationships and to consider… Read more »

Nigerien Hip-Hop: The Voice of Niger’s Youth

By: Elsa Sichrovsky Although hip-hop music may be widely considered a product of American pop culture, Niger has also produced hip-hop artists of outstanding talent. They use music as a medium to raise awareness for the social issues of their generation. Nigerien hip-hop was indeed heavily influenced by American culture in its early stages[1]. Eventually,… Read more »

Specialties of Nigerien Cuisine

By: Lilia Leung Each country or culture has its own cuisine and food specialties, and Niger is no different. The climate and environment of Niger play a crucial role in the types of food that Nigeriens eat. Millet is a staple of everyday Nigerien cuisine. A common way to prepare millet is to pound it… Read more »

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Republic of Niger

by Jennifer Dees  Image source December 18th was the 60th anniversary of the Republic of Niger. The event, held in Zinder, celebrates the achievements and progress of Niger since its proclamation in 1958. It was attended by the President of the Republic, Issoufou Mahamadou, and many other officials throughout Niger and surrounding countries. The celebration… Read more »