The Goulbi N'kaba community programme
The Goulbi N'kaba community development programme is located in
Kornaka county, Dakoro district. The programme reaches three rural
districts, comprising 71 villages, with a totally population of
57,861. World Vision's work in Goulbi N'kaba started in 1997 and is
envisaged to come to completion at the end of September 2012, as
the community are now almost fully equipped with the resources and
skills to take ownership of its own development. In the past year,
significant improvements were made in the final focus areas of
nutrition and health, and water and education.
Issues covered: Water, education,
nutrition and health
Updates on World Vision's work
Nutrition and health
- Over the course of the programme, 18,612 children were
supported through nutrition projects, aimed especially at children
aged 0-59 months.
- 10,835 children were immunised, and 2000 insecticide-treated
nets were distributed to households to help reduce the prevalence
of malaria.
Water and education
- 5 boreholes were equipped with hand pumps to provide safe and
clean water to families and children, and reduce water-borne
diseases. In addition, six masons were trained to help with the
construction of new latrines to improve sanitation and
hygiene.
- 8996 children now attend primary and secondary schools, as well
as second-chance schools. These schools give students who had
dropped out of school, another chance at secondary education.
The Goulbi N'kaba community is in the fifth year of its
development journey with World Vision.
Life on
the ground in Goulbi N'kaba
A second chance at education
Girls in the second-chance class of
Mariama Insar Islamane.
To help children continue their education, World Vision and the
Goulbi N'kaba community designed second-chance schools together in
2007. These schools give children aged between 9-11 years who could
not attend a formal school, an opportunity to catch up and continue
their secondary education. Children in second-chance classes
receive intensive education for three years, to enable them to sit
the primary school final examinations, and proceed with their
studies in secondary schools. After writing their exams last year,
70 students are now pursuing their studies in secondary schools.
Noteworthy, is that 22 of the highest achieving students come from
second-chance schools. Teacher, Mariama Insar Islamane, deserves a
mention for her role in this achievement. Of her 11 second-chance
students, ten have passed and are now doing well in secondary
school. "The reason for the success of the second-chance students,
is because of their commitment, and the support of the community
who welcomed me so warmly," says Mariama. As a younger woman,
Mariama had gone through some tough times herself. "But teaching
these children in need, gives me hope," explains Mariama. The
Goulbi N'kaba communities, specifically the parents, are very happy
to see their children now continuing their secondary school
education like all the other children.
Niger at a glance
The Republic of Niger is considered one of the world's least
developed countries. In the 2006 Human Development Index, the
United Nations Development Programme ranked Niger 177th out of 177
nations. By comparison, New Zealand was rated 20th.
