The Condition Of Orphans In Niger, Africa

I believe there are two types of people. Those who question nothing, and those who question everything. For better or for worse, I reside in the second group. Although there are countless questions swimming around in my head, and innumerable problems I wish to solve, the one that holds the most precedence is this; The condition of orphans throughout the globe. This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to help in several orphanages in Niger, Africa. Not only did this experience completely change my perspective, it altered all of my ambitions. I found myself learning some of life’s most valuable lessons from the most unlikely of mediums. The children I encountered while in Niger never ceased to amaze me with their profound actions. Their …show more content…
I want to research innovative methods of building and creating self-sufficient orphanages. While donating money to organizations and orphanages is helpful, it does not always go directly to the kids. A lot of the time it goes into mortgages, electricity, food, water and other essentials. Imagine if all of these costs were taken care of and all of the money could go directly into the kids, their education, and health. The first step would be teaching orphanages to farm and grow their own crops. Not only does this enable them to provide their own food, it gives them the opportunity to make a profit. The kids that live in theses orphanages would be taught how to farm as well as take care of animals such as chickens. This would teach them responsibility as well as give them useful tools for the future. Next, the orphanage would need it’s own source of clean water. Usually, wells are built in the center of towns, or they are a long walk away. Building wells directly onto the property would give them their own water supply. Now, the tough one, electricity. How can an orphanage be completely self-sufficient and still have electricity? I found the answer to that question this summer. Solar panelling. While in Niger, Africa, I encountered a orphanage that was truly self-sufficient in every understanding of the word. They had a big wall built around the facility, inside was an amazing farm with protein rich plants, a chicken coop where they collected the eggs they sell in the market, a well of their own, and solar panels on their little roof. Finally, this orphanage had used all of the money they saved through the years and payed off their mortgage. My overall goal is to make this a possibility to orphanages throughout the globe. Raising awareness is the first step. People want to help, so they write a check, but they have no idea how it helps. If we make donating intentional, with a specific purpose, money could be