On October 14 and 15, 2026, Rotary partners in Niamey held special ceremonies to distribute the supplies, marking the successful completion of a project that brought together Rotarians, donors and supporters across continents.

The donations include six refurbished Perkins Braille writing machines, 60,000 sheets of specialized Braille paper and LEGO Braille Bricks designed to help children learn through touch and play.

The six writing machines represent an investment of approximately $2,520, while nearly $2,500 was designated for Braille paper. The LEGO Foundation also generously donated 12 sets of its innovative Braille Bricks, which combine traditional LEGO play with raised Braille characters to help children explore letters, numbers and words.

Together, these supplies provide valuable resources for students and teachers at a school where specialized educational materials can be difficult to obtain.

A Partnership That Spans Continents

The project is the latest example of the longstanding relationship between the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs and its Rotary partners in Niamey.

Funding was made possible through contributions from Pagosa Springs Rotarians and a Rotary District 5470 matching grant, with members and international partners working together to identify the school's needs, obtain specialized equipment and arrange shipment to Niger.

Former Pagosa Springs Rotarian Donna Mosher, who served Rotary for 29 years, helped spearhead the project, securing donations and rallying support among fellow Rotarians. Gado Oumarou Hainikoye, based in Maryland, also provided valuable assistance with shipping the materials to Niger.

In Niamey, Rotarians from the Gaweye Rotary Club helped coordinate the distribution. Among them was Abdoulaye Dabougui, who visited the Pagosa Springs Rotary Club last year.

Abdoulaye shared photographs and video documenting the successful delivery and expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs.

In an October 19 message, he reflected on the dedication behind the project, writing that Mosher had worked tirelessly to secure funding and obtain appropriate equipment for the students.

"You did everything you could to secure funding and purchase the right equipment for us," he wrote. "These are memories I will cherish forever."

His heartfelt message is a reminder that Rotary's international service projects do more than deliver supplies. They create lasting friendships and build connections between communities separated by thousands of miles.

Building Independence Through Education

For children who are blind or visually impaired, access to specialized learning materials can make an enormous difference.

Braille writing machines allow students to develop literacy and written communication skills. Braille paper provides the necessary materials for classroom assignments and practice, while LEGO Braille Bricks introduce a playful, hands-on approach to learning.

The project builds on earlier efforts by Pagosa Springs Rotarians to support the school, including contributions for uniforms and other specialized educational supplies.

And while the arrival of the materials marks an important milestone, the real impact will unfold in classrooms as students put their new tools to work.

Service Above Self, Without Borders

From the mountains of Colorado to the classrooms of Niger, the project demonstrates what can happen when Rotarians combine their resources, relationships and determination to address a need.

It took a network of volunteers, financial contributions, generous donors and international cooperation to bring the supplies to the students who need them.

The result is more than a successful shipment. It is an investment in literacy, confidence and independence for children whose opportunities can be expanded through education.

For the Rotary clubs of Pagosa Springs and Niamey, the greatest reward is knowing that a world of learning is now quite literally at these children's fingertips.

Rotary partners in Niamey, Niger, celebrate the arrival of educational supplies provided through a partnership with the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs. The project includes Braille writing machines, specialized paper and LEGO Braille Bricks to support students who are blind or visually impaired.