Tillabéri Region

Sponsored children: Around 9,300

The Niger River runs through Niger’s westernmost region, allowing for some irrigated farming and fishing. Still, Tillabéri’s population largely depends on small-scale subsistence farming, herding and commerce. Nearly 69% live in poverty, and only 59% have immediate access to safe drinking water.

Opened in 2004, the Tillabéri office works with 33 partner villages, reaching over 56,000 people, including sponsored children. It employs 14 staff, who collaborate with government and local partners to support projects in the following areas:

• health
• education
• water and sanitation
• child protection
• disaster preparedness and relief
• microfinance – small savings and loans schemes

Programme highlight

Women's empowerment with savings and loans

Rural women in Niger have few opportunities to advance and develop. Plan Niger is using microfinance to create opportunities and help women to become active participants in society. The project is known in the local language, Zarma, as Woyborey Kokaro Nafa – ‘The Fruit of Women’s Labours’.

Plan and its partners in Tillabéri help women to organise themselves into Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). The members, trained by Plan in accounting skills, meet weekly to take deposits and provide small loans. Many women use loans to begin small business activities – often selling food or raising animals.

One of the VSLAs in Tillabéri

Adama began buying and selling grain, and is able to save US$4 per week – a significant amount in rural Niger. “I invest 50¢ in case the children get sick and in case of emergencies,” she said. “I buy food for my family with the rest.”

The VSLAs give women financial stability, a safety net for household emergencies and a space to develop business ideas. Experience shows that when women gain income and empowerment, the whole family benefits, especially children. Also, the VSLAs can provide non-financial services, including literacy and reproductive health training.

With group names like Bani, Bonfarey, Wadata – meaning Health, Mind-opening and Happiness – it is clear how the women feel about the result of their efforts.

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