Greetings from Niger! It is the beginning of week 6 in Niger and so much has happened it is hard to describe. My stage has 25 other members from all over the United States. I am currently living in a village between Niamey and Hamdallaye. I sleep under the stars (which sparkle and are so bright here!) in a mosquito net and it has begun to be cold enough to wear sweat pants at night! “stageing” in philly went well but was really short…Charles DeGualle airport was aggravatating as always but service on air france is amazing (the food is so much better). Upon arriving in Niamey we were greeted by Tondi (the training director) and a bunch of current volunteers we will be working with during training. Then we had dinner and all went to bed fairly early. The 3rd day after two hours of language class (I’m learning Zarma or Djerma if you are French) we moved in with our host families. I am living in a village 11 K from the training site so I bike in on Tuesday and Friday of each week. The rest of the time I have class in my village. We are the first volunteers to live in this village so they are happy to have us. We are constantly surrounded by children and being asked questions that I have recently just begun to understand. My host family is great I have a sister that is my age and not married which is really unusual for this culture. She knows French and some English so we speak in all languages. Overall I really love Niger I live in a mud hut and have many “pet” baby goats and sheep. I found out that I am going to be placed about 25K north of Gotheye and 110 K Northwest of Niamey for the next two years and I’m right on the river which is amazing! I will be doing work like environmental education, hanging out with villagers, and working with trees like morengia and gum Arabic. I have heard great things about my village. I have already started thinking of amazing West African adventures Mali, Burkino Faso, Ghana, Togo, Morroco(to see Taryn!) etc. I miss everyone and hope everyone is well. Contact my dad if you want my new address. Love everyone! Thanks for the comments keep them coming!
