(in the small town of Keita, ten hours driving from the capital)

Niger is the poorest country in the world. Landlocked Sahelian country, twice as big as France, it is considered as a priority in terms of “human development” by the United Nations. With an average of 7,5 children per woman, the population could quadruple by 2050, and go over 50 millions inhabitants.

Report in the region of Tahoua, a land of savanna and arid plateaus, crossed by camels, cows, donkeys and sheep.
In the small town of Keita, the women have been struggling since 1984 against drought. Whereas the men, discouraged, chose exodus, women decided to stay. Being owners of a piece of land, they committed to plant a mango tree, the roots of which help stabilize the ground. At the beginning of the rain season it is the seedling period for sorghum and millet seeds, and hope revives. The village microcredit bank counts 200 men amongst its 12000 beneficiaries…The advance, used most often to buy small livestock, or to open a shop or a sewing workroom, must be paid back after six months. Before, religion forbid the women to leave the village. Now, they find by themselves the way to the bank.

With 63 % of the population living below the poverty line, Niger holds sad records in terms of health. Less than 50 % of the population is covered by the health system. The region of Keita counts only one doctor for 230 000 inhabitants. Since 2006, Doctors of the World has been forming the local staff to improve access and quality of health care, and has set up free care for children under the age of five and pregnant women. “It’s the first time I see a doctor and it’s my eighth pregnancy”, says a patient. “Before it became free, we had to sell a chicken or a goat to get health care. With our husbands in exodus, it wasn’t easy”.