Los Angeles, June 5, 2008 — The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) has donated US$10,000 to the Koulawa NGO organization in Niamey, Niger, to provide food for more than 250 disabled women and children, who are in various education and training programs.
An exceptionally arid region on the edge of the Sahara desert, Niger has long suffered political instability, draught and scarcity of food. With the recent rapid increase in the price of cereals, many of those most at risk have been faced with the threat of starvation.
Staple foods such as rice, corn, millet and sorghum provided by TPRF’s grant will enable the women and children in the program facing abject poverty to “stay in the NGO center rather than beg for food in the streets,” says Coordinator Mme. Mahadi Zeinabou.
“TPRF’s assistance will allow program participants to focus on education and vocational training to learn the required skills for them to become independent,” notes Linda Pascotto, President of TPRF.
Koulawa NGO is a non-profit, non-government agency that aims to improve the conditions of the disabled in Niamey, Niger’s largest city. Koulawa NGO’s objectives include the training, promotion and social integration of the disabled, in order to improve their living conditions. The organization focuses on disabled women and children, providing specialized education, access to maternity and pediatric healthcare, and activities to generate funds.
Five target groups in five towns of Niamey will receive assistance: 50 blind students; 50 blind women; 100 deaf students; and 50 handicapped women, many of whom are blind.
The Prem Rawat Foundation was created in 2001 by Prem Rawat, known also as Maharaji, and has a dual mission of bringing his message of peace to people around the world and providing essential humanitarian aid to those in need. TPRF partners with other humanitarian organizations to bring food, water and rapid disaster relief where it is most needed.
To learn more about TPRF’s humanitarian initiatives, Prem Rawat and his message of peace, please visit http://tprf.org/pressrel/20080605-Niger_Grant.htm
