Our Impact

Duha works closely with women in need in Niger. This includes widows, divorcees, single mothers, women unable to make ends meet, young women who have dropped out of school, et cetera.

Most of our clients live in bukkas. Bukkas, the name to describe the temporary shelter structure they live in, are made of various materials like sticks, tarp, fabric and dried straw. They often become destroyed during the sandstorms and heavy rains. It is not uncommon for bukkas to become flooded during the rainy season. Families living in bukkas may also be asked to leave at any moment as they are staying with permission on other’s land.

Women and families living in the bukkas represent one of the most impoverished and vulnerable groups of people in Niger. Most migrated to the capital from their respective villages in hopes of employment and a better life. Most have not completed education beyond primary or secondary school and cannot read or write. Men, who are culturally the main providers for the family, often face difficulty finding stable jobs and seek small daily jobs in the markets or rely on any handouts they receive. Many families live without running water, electricity or access to toilets and many are unable to afford food every day. Women, the primary caretakers of the family, typically stay at home to watch their children.