Niger March 2009

Africa
March 24th 2009

Published: April 7th 2009

Hello Faithful Blog Readers, I’ve had the photos loaded for weeks, but just couldn’t find the time or energy to write any text. Most of you are well aware that I tend to be rather long-winded so writing a blog is not something I generally whip off at the last minute. I put a lot of photos and comments on this one though, so hopefully the photos will tell the story! I think I put the OBAMA ... Read Full Entry

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Chekaraou Family

Uwargida

Hello Friends, I decided to start a blog to facilitate the delivery of news from our new home in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. After about five years of trying to secure a job and get back to Africa, we were finally successful! I left seven years of working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and took a position with World Vision, a Christian, not-for-profit organization. I recently made a change from West Africa HIV Advisor to the Africa Regional Maternal and Child Health Advisor position. It is an exciting change for me! Even though my husband is from Niger and I have h... full info

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I Am a Land Owner!

On my land; 1600 square meters on the Western edge of Zinder.

Land Boundaries

Hard to see, but the 6 guys with hands in the air are standing on the markers of my land boundaries

Official with papers!

On my new land in Zinder. Souleymane, Teacher, Me, Roufaii, Souley and Sisay Sinamo (my colleague from WV)

Land!

Teacher, me and Roufaii

Tea celebration

My colleague says in Ethiopia when you buy land that you have to have a big party with food and tea to drink; we had nothing, so we pretended, but we had a little celebration with snacks and tea when we got back to the guest house.

PCVL

Say goodbye to the Peace Corps house in Zinder! Word is that they have to move after more than 15 years in the same house! They are being forced to live in a government owned house so the government doesn't have to pay rent to any other propritors.

Across from PCVL House

Moussa, Me, Abdou and Naroua

Traditional House

One of my favorite houses in Zinder; you don't see this type of architecture much outside of Agadez

Tuwon massara da miyan kuka

This was my dinner Friday night! Yummmmm.....

Starling and Souley

Two of my best friends from Kournikoutchika. I nicknamed Salmana, "Starling" based on the fact that he always wore one of those USA yard sale T-shirts with a picture of a bird and a label that said, "Starling Family Reunion". Souley Idi was the majeur - head nurse of the clinic where I worked. He has been in Zinder for almost 10 years and has been on extended nursing study for the last three years.

Community Cereal Bank

Mallamey cereal bank; this is a fantastic example of effective community planning!

Cereal Bank Stocks

Nice to see some planning for the future and not just hearing "Inch'Allah"...

My Gift of Chickens

Good village hospitality - a gift of chickens as a token of appreciation for the visit.

Mai Gari - Village Chief

At the health center in Kornaka West

Kornaka West Health Clinic

World Vision supports integrated services for malnourished children at some of the health centers in Niger where WV is established in the communities. This is at

Weigh Station

The assessments are done completely by community volunteers who weigh, measure and refer children. They also prepare commodities, distribute goods and control stock. None of them are paid; they are all driven by the volunteer spirit! Yea!

Getting Measured

He was not happy!

MUAC Bracelet

Nurse checking middle upper arm circumfrence against weight and height of child

Nutritional Counseling

I find it really hard not to be angry at men when I hear the stories from these women!

Fulani Mother and Child

Family who came in with a severely malnourished child.

Fulani Mother

Such a young mother confronted with an unbelievably difficult situation!

8th April 2009

Amanda
non-member comment

This Made Me Cry!
What a beautiful post. Those twin great-grandmothers are gorgeous.

8th April 2009

Uwargida
Chekaraou Family

Thanks!
I am so happy to see your comment; not that you cried, but that you were touched as well. It was an amazing experience for me - once again I feel blessed and energized. Sometimes it is difficult to feel that one's work can make any difference at all, but little victories keep us going! Hugs~!

9th April 2009

Jill Sare
non-member comment

Amazing human journeys...
What fabulous photos. I especially love the pix of Mai Gari and the Fulani Grandparents. You are living a wonderful adventure and giving so much to so many. Bisous.

15th April 2009

Uwargida
Chekaraou Family

Photos
Those are my favorite photos too. I love photographing babies and old people - anywhere in between doesn't interest me much! My fascination with elderly people is like yours with clotheslines!

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Niger March 2009

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