Help me help rugby to tackle early marriage in Niger
Help us tackle early marriage in Niger through rugby!
Canterbury
Hello! My name is Brian Barry. I’m a 53-year-old Kiwi living in Niger, Africa, where I volunteer with a small rugby-based charity – Rugby Academy VT https://rugbyacademyvt.webnode.fr/.
I teach English, help with admin, and work closely with a group of U15 girls as we try to keep them near the project and away from the clutches of early marriage. In Niger, according to UNICEF, 76% of girls are married before their 18th birthday, and 28% before they are 15.
Niger is the least-developed nation on earth, set in a region engulfed in crisis as a jihadist insurgency causes untold instability. Add coups in neighbouring countries, and daily life here is grim indeed.
Rugby Academy VT cannot meaningfully tackle these enormous challenges, but it can contribute to local communities in a tangible way. Currently, our programme supports 250 primary-school children and 50 teenagers through additional education (lessons and monitoring), sport (rugby), health checks, and nutritious snacks.
Right now, we need help to replace the desks in our classrooms, buy new fans (it’s hard to learn in 45°C weather), buy sports equipment (15 worn out rugby balls for 300 kids doesn’t cut it), purchase school supplies and pay our tutors a little more than $2 an hour.
I’m betting on the ‘people power’ approach to help us meet these needs. So, I kindly ask you to donate the price of a coffee, beer, or wine through this page, and to forward this short story to your friends, family, and workmates – together is better!
Rugby Academy VT's involvement (page creator)
I volunteer with Rugby Academy VT (https://rugbyacademyvt.webnode.fr/). I teach English, help with admin, and work closely with a group of U15 girls.
Use of funds
We need help to replace the desks in our classrooms, buy new fans (it’s hard to learn in 45°C weather), buy sports equipment (15 worn out rugby balls for 300 kids doesn’t cut it), purchase school supplies and pay our tutors a little more than $2 an hour.
Other page links
Latest update
Goal reached (and more)! 11 May 2022
Target: NZD 5000
Achieved: NZD 7000
A success in anyone's books. We set up the 'Givealittle' fundraiser to help our struggling budget and you, Kiwi friends (and a couple of wannabe Kiwis), stepped up. With all that is going on in the world at the moment, you chose to dig deep and walk with us here in Niger. A HUGE thank you!
You are welcome to follow the below link to see where your hard earned dollars will land. The 'Givealittle' funds will be sent to our official charity bank account here in Niger this week. Our committee has already met, to decide where to best use these funds.
https://rugbyacademyvt.webnode.fr
A majority of the donations were of $10 or less and most were from University students already struggling on limited budget. Kiwi youth empowering the youth of Niger, NICE!
I hope you feel good about your participation in this little project. If you want to contribute in the future, perhaps organise a fundraiser, run a marathon or climb a mountain for a cause. We would love you to make our cause part of yours. Just give us a heads up through the website and we can discuss or get in touch with our NZ contacts:
Sophie-Anne: sophieannebarry7@gmail.com
Geneviève: gennirose.barry@gmail.com
Here in Niger we have a saying "on est ensemble" (we are together). As the sole Kiwi in Niger, you made me feel just that and make me proud to call Aotearoa home. Thank you/merci!
And finally, a little gift. Here is a photo from our recent girl’s tournament in support of International Women’s Day. +40 in sand storm conditions didn’t stop the wonderful skills on display nor the enthusiastic support from the boys.
Brian
Latest donations
Who's involved?
Page Q&A
Ask a question hereAny concerns?
Report this pageThank the donor
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.