By Rania Mikhael
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. – Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela defined education as a weapon that can change the world; education is the most important way to measure civilization and the progress of nations.
Education is the raw material that helps people to gain a greater understanding of their own talents and unique abilities, and how to use them to the fullest. It also provides people with new skills that will have a definite impact on their future.
When children have access to at least a basic education, a new era is born, one that reduces poverty, brings new opportunities, fosters personal empowerment, and brings about improved health conditions.
The absence of education means a slow death for society and can result in inequality, poverty, and literal starvation. The people of Niger, the poorest country in the world, struggle each day to obtain the basic elements, food and water. Because they must work so hard to secure these most basic needs, education often falls by the wayside. This is particularly true for the girls in Niger, as they are the ones responsible for walking miles every day in search of water.
Below table shows the Niger Education Stats as per UNESCO
| STAT | AMOUNT | DATE |
RANK |
| Adult Literacy Rate > Total | 28.67 | 2005 | 14th Out of 15 |
| Average Years of Schooling of Adults | 1 | 2000 | 98th Out of 100 |
| Children Out of School, Primary | 1.05 million | 2012 | 3rd Out of 64 |
| Children Out of School, Primary per 1000 | 61.12 | 2012 | 2nd Out of 64 |
| Children Out of School, Primary, Female | 593,905 | 2012 | 3rd Out of 55 |
| College and University > Share of Total Education Spending | 14.37% | 2011 | 38th Out of 60 |
| Compulsary Education Duration | 9 | 2012 | 55th Out of 109 |
| Literacy > Total ‘population | 28.7% | 2005 | 11th Out of 11 |
| Primary Education, Duration > Years | 6 | 2012 | 47th Out of 200 |
| Primary Education, Teachers Per 1000 | 3.08 | 2012 | 62nd Out of 76 |
| Secondary Education, Duration > Years | 7 | 2012 | 35th Out of 197 |
That’s where we come in. Wells Bring Hope is committed to supplying clean water to rural villages all over the Niger. When a well is drilled, girls no longer have to help their mothers get water and their time is freed up to go to school. Given access to an education, the boys and girls will thrive and may just go on to change the world for themselves.
Get involved by volunteering or starting a Water Circle today.
