Like in so many of the poorest countries in Africa, the average in Niger is just 15 years old, with just under half the population being aged 0 -14 years old. Life expectancy is around 53yrs and over 10% of all children die at birth.

Those who survive are at risk of sexual exploitation and human trafficking for enforced begging, enforced working in in gold mines, domestic servitude and also for working in agriculture and stone quarries, in fact an estimated 8,800 to 43,000 people in Niger live under conditions of traditional slavery.

For others the regular droughts cause famines and death to animals that provide their only source of income. You can help when you sponsor a child in Niger:

www.worldvision.org.uk
www.plan-uk.org
www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk

There are also some other charities who work with communities in Niger:

www.savethechildren.org.uk
www.oxfam.org.uk

If you work with children in Niger tell us about your work here.