The idea for the Niger AIDS Ride came from three very motivated volunteers back in late 1999. They had all participated in AIDS Rides in the States and realized that the same overwhelmingly positive results were possible overseas. In recent years, volunteer programs all over the world have been stepping up efforts to educate people on the spread of HIV. Basic strategies here in Niger have included village based meetings and video presentations in volunteer villages, regional gatherings in major cities with AIDS education entertainment such as bands and theater troupes, and informational speakers to educate the audience on the spread of HIV and answer questions. These approaches have been successful in the past but still only reach the limited audience of people who work with American volunteers on a daily basis. The goal of the Niger AIDS education ride is to combine all the positive aspects of our AIDS education campaign and put them together into an annual event that covers entire regions of the coutry.

AIDS rides in the states are generally focused towards raising awareness and generating money to donate research. In Niger, the goals of the ride are not just to raise awareness but to teach people with no formal education about how they can protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. For many Nigeriens, encountering volunteers and educators during the Niger AIDS Ride is the first time they have ever heard details about HIV/AIDS and had the opportunity to ask questions about the epidemic.