Rain for the Sahel and Sahara

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to RAIN's two newest board members, Ali Sekou, MCD, Leadership New Hampshire and Erica A. Holzaepfel! You can find Ali and Erica's bios (and the bios for the rest of our wonderful board) on our website: https://lnkd.in/e7R8FCGR You can see the full announcement (and join our email list!) here: https://conta.cc/4hGBEax Welcome Ali & Erica - we're thrilled to have you!

With just 1 day left in our September campaign, we want to share the perspective of Ali Sekou, MCD, Leadership New Hampshire. If you live in New Hampshire or are Nigerien-American, you know Ali Sekou. Everyone knows Ali. Born and raised in a small, rural village in Niger, Ali immigrated to the United States in 2012 with limited English. After learning English at Laconia’s Adult Education program, he earned his Associate's degree at?the New Hampshire Technical Institute, his Bachelor’s degree at Plymouth State University, and his Master’s degree at UNH Carsey School of Public Policy. Now, he serves as the Manager for Community Engagement & Inclusion at New Hampshire Housing. Ali's impressive educational and professional achievements are secondary to his remarkable record of community service including work with the Islamic Society of Greater Concord, New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, Concord Library Board of Trustees, CONCORD PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION OF CONCORD NH, and Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS).?Ali?is also a 40 under Forty award recipient and a graduate of Leadership New Hampshire. I used to joke that Ali was the Mayor of Concord... but now he's literally the Mayor Pro Tem. Ali is also one of the newest members of RAIN's Board of Directors. Ali knows first-hand that education matters.?It mattered for him, and it matters for all the children RAIN serves. Those who have the opportunity to learn and earn, are the ones who go on to uplift those around them. Ali is the perfect example. We are grateful to Ali for his community service and for lighting the way. We are also grateful for supporters like you, who have enabled RAIN and our partner communities to persevere. We need people like Ali. We need people like you. Give today: https://lnkd.in/gRF_SmeJ

A looming shadow is falling over Africa. With the world's attention focused on conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, Russia is quietly intensifying its race for resources and power. Recent coups across the Sahel have shifted the region's power dynamics, with military governments distancing themselves from long-standing relationships with the West and strengthening ties with Russia. Join the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire and Rain for the Sahel and Sahara to delve into what this means for security, human rights, and the global balance of power. This virtual conversation will feature Karen Hanrahan, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and global human rights advocate, and Kamissa Camara, Senior Advisor for Africa at the U.S. Institute of Peace and expert on African governance and security. Don't miss this critical conversation on foreign influence in Africa and the political, security, economic, and human rights challenges it presents. Explore why the Sahel remains important to the U.S. and how these shifting dynamics alter the broader geopolitical picture.

If you're one of the 9-in-10 Americans "concerned about rivals—like Russia, China, and Iran—creating instability around the world and disrupting the economy" then tune in with RAIN and the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire for "Shadow in the Sahel" on Wednesday, September 25th at 12pm ET. Register here to join live or watch the recording later: https://lnkd.in/eCSq98is

Excited to collaborate with Timothy Horgan and the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire to host this timely conversation: "A looming shadow is falling over Africa. With the world's attention focused on conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, Russia is quietly intensifying its race for resources and power. Recent coups across the Sahel have shifted the region's power dynamics, with military governments distancing themselves from long-standing relationships with the West and strengthening ties with Russia. Join the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire and Rain for the Sahel and Sahara to delve into what this means for security, human rights, and the global balance of power. This?virtual?conversation will feature Karen Hanrahan, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and global human rights advocate, and Kamissa Camara, Senior Advisor for Africa at the U.S. Institute of Peace and expert on African governance and security. Don't miss this critical conversation on foreign influence in Africa and the political, security, economic, and human rights challenges it presents. Explore why the Sahel remains important to the U.S. and how these shifting dynamics alter the broader geopolitical picture." Register here to join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/eCSq98is

We are pleased to announce that RAIN's current and former Board Members have come together to offer a $12,000 match for all gifts given by September 30th. Board Members know Niger and RAIN's work inside and out. They believe that our mission matters and that RAIN is equipped to continue to be effective, even during these challenging times. We invite you to join us in reaffirming our shared values -- that the rural and nomadic peoples of Niger deserve opportunity and true partnership. RAIN is committed to standing with them, especially now when times are hard. We hope you'll stand with us. Double your dollar today: https://lnkd.in/gRF_SmeJ

“Since my arrival at the middle school, I have been ranked 1st in my class and I even won a prize recognizing me as the most serious student in the school. I come from a poor village. Many of the girls and boys in my village drop out. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to go further in my studies. I would like to thank RAIN -- today it is thanks to them that I am at this level. I would like to be an example for my village, because from [the village’s] creation until today, there is not a single student who has succeeded in his academic career. I want to be the first to succeed.” - Abdoul Even with this year's challenges, RAIN's students have continued to achieve academic success. In 2024, RAIN's students exhibited a pass rate 25% higher than average. When given an opportunity, kids like Abdoul run with it. They deserve a chance. Give today: https://lnkd.in/giNi7bwA

With limited funding in Niger post-coup, education is one of the first "non-essentials" to get cut. RAIN believes that education, and the opportunities that come with it, are essential. Do you? Join us to keep kids in school, because education shouldn't be a casualty of Niger's coup: https://lnkd.in/giNi7bwA

This has been one of the toughest years in RAIN's existence. Just over a year ago, Niger's democratically elected President was ousted in a coup d'état. Most Western donors and many international organizations and businesses paused work or pulled out of Niger entirely. Sanctions drove the cost of food and other essentials even higher. While U.S. military cooperation with Niger was terminated, the U.S. Ambassador and Embassy remain in place, and the U.S. continues to provide limited humanitarian aid. Nigeriens, including RAIN's staff, are coping with rapidly rising costs, deteriorating public services, and insecurity. Through it all, RAIN continues to stand with them. This year, our dedicated team has worked to maximize support for 4,000+ Nigeriens across 29 partner communities as they face unprecedented challenges. RAIN's commitment to rural and nomadic peoples is steadfast. But we cannot do it alone. RAIN seeks additional immediate financial support to continue this vital and valued work at a time when communities' need is greater than ever. In light of this year's exceptional challenges, RAIN is launching an urgent appeal to raise $45,000 by September 30th. These funds will meet immediate needs, including providing irreplaceable educational opportunities for girls at risk of child marriage and boys without another path to education. We ask you to stand with RAIN and the people of Niger by giving generously at this time. Read more: https://conta.cc/4dVUx6M Give today: https://lnkd.in/giNi7bwA

Thank you to Friends Forever International for inviting us to speak with the students in their "Pathways to Purpose" program. The program is designed to "help them gain knowledge in helping professions and how their personality types connect to their leadership development." We loved that the unifying theme was to find work that "helps," whatever that looks like! The students asked great questions about what enables RAIN's team to succeed in such a challenging environment (a commitment to tackling tough problems with compassion, perspective, and a healthy dose of humor!) and what makes a good leader (a willingness to recognize the strengths of your teammates, listen to alternative perspectives, and find ways to bring those strengths and perspectives together).