RAIN FOR THE SAHEL AND SAHARA INC

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Phone: 603-371-0676

PO Box 545
Newmarket
New Hampshire 03857
United States
Website

TOP-RATED 2011

Staff: Claim Org

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Target demographics: Nomadic communities in the Sahel and Sahara of West Africa, including children of all ages.

Someone who had 3 hours of volunteer time could: Assist with our craft sales, host a craft sale, help RAIN with online social networking, marketing and fund raising events.

Geographic areas served: Niger, West Africa

Board Members and Affiliation: John Ahlgren—President: Partner, Ahlgren, Perrault & Pudlowski; William Roderick Richards—Treasurer: Banker, American Express; Lelia Lamson—Secretary: Former Employee-U.S. Embassy, Niger; Susan Lassen: Executive Director, White Flowers Foundation; Bess Palmisciano—Founder, RAIN; Allison Reedy—Marketing Chair: Former Director, Digital Marketing for America Online; Ann Tarlton—Event Designer, Master Gardner; Nancy Borden—Consultant and Trainer: Former Peace Corp Volunteer, Master Gardener; Ree Katrak—Event Coordinator: Artist and Teacher; Klaus Connolley-Leven—Case Manager, One Sky Community Services

Mission:

RAIN’s mission is to work with nomadic peoples of West Africa to improve their lives through education, water security, agriculture, and income-producing activities. These locally rooted programs promote literacy and empowerment while sustaining nomadic traditions throughout the Sahel and Sahara.

Results:

Development of replicable programs over several years of pilot programs allowed us to achieve steady growth in 2010 and will continue for years to come. RAIN school market gardens are self-supporting and generate cash crops as well as food for students. Each garden increases primary school attendance and fosters confidence in the school. Other RAIN community enterprises, such as women’s artisan cooperatives and grain-grinding mills, generate livelihoods for members who put aside 50% of profits for their schools. RAIN is now piloting cooperative businesses to support school programs such as scholarship and mentoring. We are improving school attendance, offering literacy to adults and bringing measurable changes in quality of life, as well as increased appreciation towards education in partner communities.

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JohnUniackDavis

03/30/11

My wife, Jennifer, and I have had the pleasure of knowing Bess and following the evolution of RAIN since her first visit to Niger about ten years ago. Bess is truly devoted to finding effective, grassroots solutions to challenges affecting vulnerable populations in Niger. From the very beginning, ... more »

Joan

03/30/11

All of our family members have been Rain supports almost since its founding! We've watched RAIN grow and increase the help particularly to women and children in Niger, and have met some of RAIN's Nigerian volunteers. So amazing what a few people can do to bring about real change... more »

Sally1

03/29/11

One day a week, I volunteer in the RAIN office in Portsmouth doing a variety of things such as computer work, helping with mailings, filing, and sorting and organizing goods for our sales of African made items. It is such a pleasure to be involved with an organization that is making a difference in ... more »

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