Email - December 9, 2007

December 9, 2007

Family and friends-

Finally made it back to the capital, Niamey, for a weekend of fun in between our 2-week inservice training. It's so great to be back in "civilization," after spending so much time in the bush, although I do miss my village and villagers. I've felt like a king this past week at the training site - we get meals cooked for us (with meat!), snack twice a day, air conditioning where I sleep, Americans to speak english with, my laundry gets taken care of, movies, electricity, and actual showers and toilets. It's amazing what becomes a treat once you've been out in the boonies for a while. I wouldn't change it for the world, though.

So I have one more week of training to go and then I'll spend a couple of days in the capital before heading back to my village to celebrate Tabaski (Muslim holiday) with my villagers. I haven't quite decided what I'm doing for X-Mas but I'll probably head out east because they have a Christmas party at the hostel there. I'm unsure where I'll spend New Year's eve.

I've been trying to put away some money for my trip to Ghana in late January/early February for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Very excited about that! So, a few stories to share with you guys about life here in Niger. Last week I heard rumor of a new "American" restaurant in the capital so a bunch of us went to check it out. BY FAR the best, nicest building/restaurant I have been in country. They had air conditioning, a flat screen tv, clean floors, lots of desserts and some great entrees. I ate some greek sandwich thing and later had some pizza! They even had napkins - no one in Niger has napkins. It was an excellent meal. So, last night as we were heading back from a bar/restaurant where we went dancing, we felt a couple of sprinkles - it was definitely coming down in Niger in December! The taxi driver said he had never seen it before. Once dry season comes around, the rain stops for a good 8 months - it hadn't rained but once since rainy season ended in late September. I set up my bed on the hostel's roof where we all sleep, but the rain started again and I ended up moving inside for the night. Yesterday I also went to the zoo in the capital- it was both a good and bad experience. On one hand it was terrible to see these majestic animals in extremely small compounds with no room to exercise at all, but on the other hand, they didn't have the guard rails set up 20 feet from the actual cage like they do in the states. I could have touched a lioness if I had wanted to; well, I did want to but I was afraid to. I saw lions, baboons- very clever animals, monkeys, an ostrich, gazelles - beautiful, crocs, hyenas - so much bigger than you would ever imagine, and some eagles. Overall it was a good experience and I'm glad I went.

Okay, I know I kind of got long winded on this one but I wanted to catch you all up on my life. I hope all is well back in the states; it's hard to imagine that X-Mas is right around the corner- I feel so distant from it all. I hope you all enjoy the Holiday Season and time off from work/school. Please keep in touch and continue sending letters, pictures, news, anything at all.

Take care,

James aka Zatara

Letter to Family - December 5, 2007

December 5, 2007

Wow, Christmas is coming, isn't it? Well, I guess it will come and go by the time you get this. I know I wrote you guys a small note with Nickie's package - not sure which will arrive first. Things are great here - just living the dream. I'm at the training site for two weeks for technical training. I'm not too excited about all of the sessions but it's great being back with all of the other volunteers from my stage. We've been having a blast together and have lots of games and activities to keep us busy during free time - late night hide and seek, soccer, frisbee, improv, a weight gain competition, and maybe even Christmas caroling and Secret Santa.

Well, I received your letters from late August and early September, along with two more care packages. Thanks, again! It helps so much when I'm out in the bush - beans, rice, noodles, and millet, all get old if you eat them often enough. I figured out how to make a dutch oven, so if you find some recipes for cakes, cookies, breads and pies, please send them my way. I'm especially looking for a mango pie/cake/bread recipe, because mango season will be here soon. I have plenty of honey in my village so I have been draining the comb and funneling it into bottles, so I'll have some for the future. I also plan to try to make my own fruit/granola bars - We'll see how that goes.

We have been learning about project proposals and I'm really anxious about getting started on a few in my village. I want to do a big map project for the school - a world map, a map of Africa, and a map of Niger. Also think I'm going to start a weekly health lesson at the school - nutrition and sanitation. I also plan on starting a weekly adult English class since many men have shown interest. And I plan on doing a well-repair project soon because there is a lot of dirty standing water around both wells in my village. A lot of work coming up but I'm ready to get started. My villagers have a lot of effort so in sha allah (God willing), things will work out.

Mom, that radio transmitter was the best gift ever! It's so nice listening to good music when I'm cooking or doing laundry... I even take it to the neighbor's place nightly and listen to Bob Marley's CDs after dinner.

I'm living on about $10 a week, on average. Crazy, I know! Hopefully, I'll get the window in my hut installed and my interior walls cemented so I can decorate it better - it's pretty plain now. The spiders and my mouse keep me company (smiley face).

I want to let you guys know that I have learned a great amount about the importance of being patient - You have to in this country or you would go crazy and early terminate from the Peace Corps. I have also learned to be resourceful - I'm sure I'll be a great hiker/camper by the time I return. I understand why they say that you take away more than you give in your service.

Well, I guess that's all for now. Gonna hop in a real shower and sit on a real toilet before bed - Yes, I'm excited about that! I love you guys and think about you daily. I miss you all so much. Please wish all of our family and friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for me. Take care and try to enjoy that cold weather - I'm jealous! I love you all and will talk top you all soon.

Love,

James

Letter to Family - December 1, 2007

December 1, 2007

Hey you guys - How are you all doing? Merry X-Mas! I can't believe it's already December! I have been here for over four months! It's beginning to feel like "cold season" at night (mid-50's), but it's still extremely hot during the day (110oF in the sun around 3:00 pm yesterday).

Well, I guess you guys will have already celebrated the Holidays by the time you get this, so I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, filled with Holiday spirit, good food, cold weather (sorry, dad!) and awesome presents! I've already begun to reminisce of us decorating the house (inside and out), going to Christmas Eve service, opening presents, listening to Christmas carols, and just enjoying time together. It's true what they say - You don't know what you have until it's gone! I encourage you guys not to take things for granted, especially during the Holidays, where we realize how fortunate we all are. I miss you all and think about you daily.

I hope everything is great back home and you all are trying to live up to my legend (happy face). Christmas won't be the same without you guys but I know we'll have great times together when I return. Have a happy New Year and keep in touch. Take Holiday pictures and send me some. Tell all the friends and family that I send my love! Talk to you all soon!

Love,

James

Email - November 20, 2007

November 20, 2007

Family and Friends-

Back in civilization for a few days and I'm enjoying it! These past couple of weeks have been great at post, though. My language is really coming along.

I traveled down to Gaya last week to visit a buddy of mine and check out "city life" for a couple of days. We did our first radio show on Gaya Radio and spoke about our jobs as PC Volunteers- in Zarma, the local language, of course. We stumbled our way through but had a great time. We even played some American music on the air, including Bob Marley and Tupac. I waited at the bush taxi station for 3 1/2 hours for the battered van to get enough people packed in to head back to my village. I got the front middle seat so I didn't have any complaints. There were enough crazy vendors and action happening at the station to keep me from being bored while I waited. I got dropped off where the main road meets my laterite road and then made the 4 km bush walk to my village with my big bag on my head. I was pretty beat when I got home but was glad to get there.

I got my garden started and it's doing well- lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and onions. I think I have it well guarded from the lizards, frogs and chickens that are always in and around my place so I just have to worry about bugs now.

I have a clever mouse living in my hut now that I have tried unsuccessfully to kill. Three other villagers and I were in my hut with sticks swatting at it when we found it's hiding spot but the darn thing got away. He has successfully eaten into my flour, gatorade packs, summer sausage, couscous, and pears, and also ate the only cabbage seeds that I had. As they say in Niger, 'kala suuru', have patience.

The Thanksgiving 'feast' should be a step up from village food but it won't be anything compared to being home with the family. At least I'll be able to spend it with friends. We have purchased a live turkey from someone in Dosso and are going to slow roast it on a spit over coals. We're going to pay a kid to stay with it and rotate the turkey the entire day. I'm making banana bread, pumpkin bread, and some sort of pie with whatever I can find at the market today...should be interesting.

We have Inservice Training in a couple weeks so I'll be heading back for 2 weeks. I'm excited about learning more about my work and funding, but even more excited about seeing all of my friends from other regions that I haven't seen in 2 months! It should be a fun reunion. For now my plans are to travel out east for Christmas but that's not set in stone. A 10-hour bus ride on a Nigerien bus line on Nigerien roads sounds a little intimidating but I'm sure it will be worth it.

I guess that's about all that's going on right now. Peace Corps is paying for my villagers to put a window in my hut and have the interior walls cemented (they are mud brick now) and I am so excited about that. It will be quite a step up for the bush life! All is well here; I'm in good health and great spirits!

I hope all is well back home. Keep me informed and keep sending letters when you all have time. Also, if you reply to my other e-mail address, also reply to this one because I can check this one more frequently. Don't forget to put my name under the subject line or I won't get it.

Write back soon if you can since I'll be here until Friday morning. Love you guys, take care.

Love,

James

Email - November 20, 2007

November 20, 2007

Mom and Dad-

Hey, how are things going in Houston?! What's new? Sorry you couldn't get a hold of me on Saturday; the service had been out for three days straight and just returned today. I got some thorny brush and netting put over my garden starter bed before I headed to another town yesterday. I didn't do a whole lot yesterday other than finish up a book and look through the package I got from you yesterday! Thank you so much once again. I received the one with a couple of dress shirts and my iPOD and transmitter...great stuff! The eight of us that were here played a long game of Trivial Pursuit which was a pretty good time.

This morning I got up early and walked to the market (20 minutes) to get some stuff for Thanksgiving as well as a few things that I can't find at my market, like toilet paper and margarine. I went by the post office to check for mail and picked up like 10 packages for our region. It took about an hour and a half to get that all taken care of and get them all in a taxi and get back to the hostel. Patience is a virtue. I got another package from you, though, so I was super excited! It was the one you sent on Nov 5th and had marshmallows, hot cocoa, and vanilla extract. Thanks so much once again, Mom; it makes bush life so much better having a treat now and again! I also got two of your letters, one from Aunt Joselyn, and one from Lara, my friend from back home.

I just got done baking a couple of loaves of banana bread for Turkey Day and I plan on making some pumpkin bread tomorrow. We're watching King Kong now but it's supposed to be a really long movie and the clarity is pretty bad so I gave up on it.

I guess that's about it for now; just wanted to write you all a quick note letting you know that all is well here in Niger. No worries. I'll be here until Friday morning but remember I'm 7 hours ahead of you guys now. I'll have my cell on me the entire time so feel free to call whenever, especially on Thanksgiving! Write back soon and I'll get back to you guys tomorrow. Love you all. Have a great day and savor that cold weather- I dream about it often!

Love,

James

Email - October 29, 2007

October 29, 2007

Family and Friends-

It's October 29th and I have just returned from a full month in the bush! Can't believe it! I've had my ups and downs, been through a few sick spells, but my spirits are high and I'm enjoying my time here. I'm definitely glad to be back with the other volunteers for a few days, have a cold drink, get a real shower, and watch a few movies. Oh, and speak English again! We're having a big Halloween party in a couple nights so I'm looking forward to that too. So...bush life...has its ups and downs for sure but I've gotten used to everyday life there.

I'll start with a typical day in the bush: I sleep outdoors on a cot under my shade hanger (the weather is getting cooler at night, some nights into the low 70s). I normally get up between 6:30 and 7:00, not because I'm done sleeping but because the roosters are going crazy, everyone else in the village is up and doing their morning chores, and there are usually several chickens running around my yard. Breakfast is next, usually oatmeal but sometimes fruit- oranges or Nigerien guavas. After I get done with my morning chores it's around 8:00 and I head out to greet the villagers. I sit down and hang out with different groups of men who hang out in a few spots around the village - near the Chief's quarters, under the big tree near the well, and by the small shop. It gets hot quickly so we hang out in the shade. Usually between 10:30 and 11:00, I head back to my place to read, listen to BBC, do some chores, and make lunch. I head back out around 1:00 pm and make my rounds again, finding some more shade to sit beneath. I hang out in the village until around 5:30 or 6:00 when I go back to my place for the long-awaited bucket bath! At 7:00, I head back out in the village and eat at the headmaster's (of the primary school) place and then drink tea or cocoa with him and his neighbor. If I'm not tired afterwards, I head to the Chief's quarters and hang out with his sons. I'm normally back at my place between 9 and 10. On other days I'll head out to the field with some of the men because it's harvest season now (beans, millet, and sorghoum) or travel to my market town which is about 10 km away.

I haven't begun what you would call "work" yet but learning the language is definitely work for me. That along with getting used to a different culture and way of life wears on you for sure. But as they say in Niger, "kala suuru" or "have patience". When I get back to my village after this mini-vacation I am going to help the women prepare their cold season garden as well as provide half of the seeds to them. I plan on starting a small garden in my concession- tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, and onions. We'll see how that goes. I also plan on doing some work at the primary school with the kids (school just now started today) which I'm really excited about!

Some of the cooler things that I've seen or done since I've been in the bush: chameleons, my first sight of a cobra- at the market with some guy selling medicine to ward off snakes, camels, amazing sunsets in the valley beyond my house, traditional Nigerien wrestling matches - they get pretty intense (not quite UFC though), shooting stars, the killing of cows for a celebration, blacksmiths making traditional tools, motorcycle rides through the bush, crammed "bush taxi" rides...the list goes on and on.

Cooking has been an interesting endeavor - I was never a culinary master, especially coming here right out of college. They do have some amazing food here in my region of Niger. Right now - palm fruits, oranges, bananas, guavas, limes, and sugarcane. I eat with my villagers whenever I can but I'm slowly learning!

Other than that, life is good. I love my village and my villagers, I couldn't have asked for a better post. I'll head back to my village on Friday and pick up where I left off. I plan on heading south in a couple of weeks to hang out with a volunteer there and we're supposed to make a trip across the Niger River into Benin to go to market there and hang out with some PC Benin volunteers so I'm really excited about that! All is well in Niger, my health is fine and I'm really enjoying my service. Over 3 months in, I can't believe it.

I guess that's about all for now, sorry that this is so long, I've just been out of touch from civilization for so long. I'll be in town for a few days so please reply if you have a chance. If you reply to this address, please put my name as the subject line or it won't get to me.

Also, please ask questions if I've left anything out. I love you guys and miss you all. Let me know about things going on back in the states; I'm excited to hear about your lives back home. Take care, I'll write again soon.

Love,

James

Letter to Family #3 - September 20, 2007

9/20/07

Hey guys! How is everyone doing? How's the weather in Houston? Hot and humid, I'm sure. Are y'all still getting a bunch of rain? The rainy season here is beginning to come to a close, which means hot weather. For the past week or so, it has been terribly hot during the day. It isn't until the early morning that it begins to cool down. October is nicknamed "mini hot season," since the rains have stopped but the cool weather has not arrived. Hopefully, when I get back to my village in a week and a half, the villagers will have put up a fence around my concession and built my covered porch/patio area to give me a little shade. I can't believe training is all but done and we swear in this Tuesday (9/25/07)! This Sunday we have a barbeque in Niamey and hamburgers are on the menu! It's been a long time since I've eaten a beef pattie so I'm really excited. On the 27th, we have the "Gender and Development" auction, where volunteers and outside vendors auction off stuff to us. I'm hoping to bid on a few items that might come in handy at post - a solar charger, drum, maybe a horse... We'll see. I finally received the first package and letter #2. Thanks so much! I was munching on the trail mix after dinner last nightand it was great!

It's weird reading your letter about the movies you have seen lately since I'm clueless about what's going on in the U.S. I did hear that they're making a movie based on the book "Into the Wild," about this guy who trekked into the Alaskan wilderness and was found dead months later. I just finished the book and really liked it. I think you would like the book, Dad; hopefully, the movie will be just as good!

I like my host family just fine - they are fun to joke with and laid back. But it's a little tough to spend time with them, especially the kids, after a long day of training. I'm definitely ready to have my own hut and space so I can have some down time to myself.

"Riduan" is my Nigerien name, given to me by my host family. It doesn't mean anything - just a popular Nigerien name. For post, I changed my name to "Zatara," which is what I'll go by for the next two years. It was the name given to the Count of Montecristo and means "driftwood" in the movie.

Have you all seen Brazil or his buddy riding arund in the Mustang? I miss that car!

How's the new job going, Mike? Making them big bucks? Any word on that opportunity with Shell Oil?

Nickie - Is the carwash job still going well? Have you been promoted to tire scrubber or did you quit to be a taco maker at Taco Bell? If so, send me a couple of gorditas and a cold Mountain Dew...

For the past two weeks or so, I haven't shaved so I'm beginning to look pretty scruffy. I'll get clean shaven before the swearing-in ceremony. I just bought a traditional Nigerien outfit that I'm going to wear so I'm sure I'll look swell!

My hair is getting a little shaggy - Maybe by February, it will be long enough to dread. I'm thinking of traveling to Ghana in February to watch the "Africa Nations Cup" - a soccer tournament that will be held in Accra, the capital. Maybe I'll get dreads while there... Also, I'm planning to travel east for Christmas because they have a big PCV gathering there every year for the Holidays.

Next month will be especially difficult. I'll be the only American in my village and my closest PCV neighbor will be 40 km away. My command of the language is not great, so that will be another challenge. I'll just have to adjust and I know I'll be fine. It will just be much different than these past two months. I'm ready, though, to get there and begin my actual service. We have had two people early terminate from our original 42. So I'll swear-in with another 40, a pretty awesome number, I think!

How's Alabama football going? I never thought I'd say it but those home games at BAMA are one of the biggest things I miss. Someone told me that Auburn recently lost, so I got a kick out of that. Hopefully, we can finally get a win against them this year - Too bad I won't be there to see it!

Last night we had a "fete" (party/celebration) with our host family as thanks fo rtheir hospitality. The Peace Corps provided cake, popcorn, Cokes, and meat - Yes, meat!!! I gave my host family the gifts I brought for them - a calendar, cologne, candy and some jewelry - and they were most appreciative.

After swearing-in, we'll be taking trips to Niamey to get some necessities for our site - furniture, cooking/cleaning supplies, etc. Hopefully, I can make my little hut nice, since I'll be living in it for two years. I plan to get a small table or two, a couple of trunks, hopefully a book shelf, and a few chairs. Other than shopping, we'll have a few days to just relax and play sports since training will be over. I'm definitely looking forward to that! I'm excited about settling down at my post so I can arrange things and not live out of a suitcase. I can also take the time to figure out my new camera, which I haven't done yet, even though I have taken over 400 pictures!

Well, that's all for now. Everything in Niger is just fine and my spirits are high, so you guys have nothing to worry about. Keep in touch and continue to write letters/send packages! I love you guys and miss you all dearly!

Love,

James aka Zatara

Christmas in the capital...of Niger

Merry Christmas you guys, I hope you all are enjoying the holidays back home. Just a quick update on Christmas here in Niger. On Christmas Eve I went to mass at the Cathedral Notre Dame in Niamey, the capital, with a couple of friends. The church was packed and the service was nice, especially the upbeat music. Everything was in French but I recognized a few prayers and Christmas hymns. Afterwards, we came back to the hostel where a crazy dance party was going on which lasted well into Christmas morning! There were quite a few volunteers who had come into town for the holidays so it was a great time! Christmas morning we all opened our stockings and then had a big breakfast which included pancakes, cinnamon rolls, banana bread, snickerdoodle cookies, and hot cocoa! Good stuff. We watched A Christmas Carol and later A Christmas Story, two holiday favorites. That afternoon most of us went to a PC staff member's house to hang out there and eat more food. Even the country director showed up so we all had a great time over there! Most of us took it easy that evening and hung around the hostel because we were all too full to do anything or go anywhere. Even though I was away from home and my family and friends, it was a better Christmas than I could have asked for. Tomorrow afternoon I plan on taking off for my post...finally back to the bush and to a more relaxed pace. I plan on spending the New Year down south with a few close friends so it should be a good time. I'm not sure when I'll be back in civilization but keep the letters coming and I'll update y'all again as soon as I can. Take care and have a happy new year!

Letter #3

8/26/07

Family and Friends -

Today was the first time that I felt like a true American...I went to the American recreation center inside the American embassy. A few other PCTs and I took a bus into town and then hopped on a taxi to the rec center. We paid about $2 to enter but it was well worth it! It began to rain so we went inside, watched some satellite TV (in English!) and ordered some American food!!! I had Nachos Grande with ground beef (I think), cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and pico de gallo! It was so good - it tasted like home! The sun came out after a bit and we got to go swimming at the pool on the compound. It's hard to explain how great it was to swim and relax for a few hours!

This is the first time I have felt clean since I got here. My feet are actually not stained reddish-brown for once! I guess it's the small things that count! I got to work on getting rid of my T-shirt tan also, which was nice. After the pool, we caught a taxi back to the bureau and hung out with some PCVs. I was able to use the computer there which was much faster than dialup. We were able to take the magic bus back with the language trainers, which saved us some money. (The magic bus is the air conditioned PC bus that we use for traveling.)

This past Thursday we went on our "tech trip" to a few other villages to learn about the different levels of health care facilities in country. It was quite depressing, to tell you the truth - both the facilities and the sick people. The facilities were understaffed, unsanitary, and did not have any equipment to handle major operations or anything complicated. At one clinic they have a program where they keep malnourished children and try to help them gain weight and supply them with proper food and nutrients. I think that was the most depressing of all - seeing kids who were severely malnourished, where you could see their bones and the skin hanging from their bodies. One PCV was working with the children and she inspired me to do some work with malnourishment once I get to post. This field trip was more than a reality check for me because I realized the type of setting that I may be collaborating with. I thought about my future at post a lot and how emotionally draining it will be to constantly see people who are ill. On the other hand, I think it will be that much more rewarding once my service is over.

So if all that wasn't bad enough, I started getting sick on Friday night and was sick all day Saturday. I felt HORRIBLE. I went to another town to see the doc (I think I had/have some bacteria) and he gave me some awesome medicine which just about cured me overnight. So I'm about 90% well. In another couple of days, I'll be back on the soccer field.

Exciting news - this Friday we get our site announcements! I am a little nervous but excited more than anything.

Another cool thing about Niger that I love is the kindness and sincerity of the locals. Last night I was walking home by myself around 9:00 p.m. and stopped by a food vendor to see what was being cooked. A guy about my age asked me to sit and chat with him. I declined becuase it was late but I think I'll go there this afternoon and have tea with him and his friends (it's a popular custom in Niger, comparable to having a beer with a buddy). Two other guys stopped me and asked me how I was doing and how business was and then just said goodbye. These interactions are great for language training and goes to show how people are concerned about others, even "anasaras" (foreigners) like me.

Well, that's about all I have for now. When I get to a phone, I'll try my best to get a hold of you, but until then, you guys take care! I love you all! Love, James

P.S. Nickie-Happy, happy birthday! It is a great year so enjoy it to the fullest! I hope you got the post card that I sent you. When I get to a mailbox, I'll send you something special from Niger (let me know if you'd rather have a donkey, a camel or a monkey and I'll see what I can work out.) I know it's your senior year and I'm so excited about it - you should be too! Have fun and be safe - don't try to grow up too quickly! I love you!

Mike--How's the job search going? Any openings in West Africa? That would be great! I hope everything is going great for you in Houston and you are enjoying yourself before you start a big job. Let me know what you're up to back home. Take it easy, Bro, I miss you!

Keep in touch, guys! Love you!

Email #3

9/26/07

Hey guys-

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m alive and well! Trying to stay cool but that's almost impossible! I just swore in so I’m officially a PC volunteer now! I’m heading out to my post on Saturday so I’m excited about that! It's in the southwest corner of the country. It is a very green and fertile part of the country with a lot of palm trees! I'll get back to you all soon to update you on my post. Take care and please continue to write letters!

Love,

James

Letter #2

8/16/07

Mom, Dad, Mike and Nickie,

Hey guys! Just got your card and package today. Thanks a bunch! I was getting a little discouraged that I wasn't getting any mail... It's such a good feeling getting a letter; it reminds me of Camp Allen. Things are still going great here. I just got over my first (of many) spells of diarrhea! Fun stuff, I know!

This past weekend (Sunday-Tuesday) we went on "demyst," where we live with another volunteer to get a better grasp of daily life at post. It was great! My host, Kevin, was very gracious and fed me well - spaghetti one night and raviolis (from a can) the second night! Amazing considering that I have been eating millet or rice with sauce every night since I've been here. I got tired of the sauce so now I eat plain white rice or "millet mash" by itself. (The fruit bars and beef jerky have saved me on more than one ocassion.) If the food is the worst thing, then I really don't have much to complain about! Al hamdalaylay (thanks be to God) that I have been healthy and fit since I've been here.

Back to "demyst." We didn't do much at all other than chat, relax and read, which was a nice vacation from the structure of training. On Monday, we hiked up this huge mesa that overlooks Kevin's village and spent two hours walking around and taking pictures. It was one of the most amazing sights I've ever seen. The landscape is beautiful (especially since it's rainy season and everything is green); it's not all sands like we thought (only up north).

Since I'm a Zarma speaker, I'll be in "Zarmaland" once I get posted. This means I'll be on the Western side of the country. Exciting!

One of the other trainees went to UNT and is from Houston. Actually, she lives off of WLY near Westheimer, which is crazy. Also, another volunteer played football for Vanderbilt with one of my roommate's older brother. What a small world.

We're having a fashion show tonight where our host family dresses us in local dress and we walk on the "cat walk" at our compound! This will be followed by a dance so I'm really excited!

The other night I watched a storm approach for about 45 minutes. The lighting was like nothing I have ever seen before and I captured some amazing video! My new camera is amazing and I have taken tons of photos already! Tomorrow we get to travel to another town to take a tour and eat at a restaurant so I'm very excited! Language and tech classes are going smoothly and steadily. Each day I have more to say and I understand more at home.

Well, that's about it for now. Make sure to ask questions in your letters if you are curious about certain things. Otherwise, I'll just ramble on about day-to-day life here. Keep me updated of any US news that you think I would be interested in. I love you guys so much and miss you all! I'll talk to you guys soon! James

Email #2

9/4/07

Mom,

Just wanted to write you quickly about a few things. Please pass this e-mail along to everyone. I just recently got my site anouncement and I am super excited! My village is in the southwestern corner of the country. It is the greenest, most fertile region of the country and I heard it is beautiful out there. This sunday I will go to my town and live there for a week to check it out and get a feel for everything. I am 4 km off of the main road and 11 km from my market which is once a week. I will be living in a traditional zarma mud brick hut but that's about all I know about my actual compound.

The town has about 1500 people divided into 5 hamlets. My town does not have a health hut, but my market town does. I will probably be doing a lot of cross-sector work, meaning that I will incorporate agriculture into my work because of the fertile environment. I also have a new mailing address so in about a week or so you can start sending mail to that address (especially packages). There's no need to send things in original packaging, just however it will fit the best (zip loc bags, etc).

Make sure you send everything air mail or I won't get it. I still haven't received anything since the last letter. Also, I plan to buy a cell phone soon so as soon as I do, I will get you guys the number so you can call. Please keep a calling card with you since it will be hard for me to know exactly when we can talk. I will try and get a hold of you guys on or before Sunday, probably in the early morning. Take care, love you lots!

Love,
James

Email #1

8/24/07

Family and Friends,

Hey, its me, writing from an internet cafe in a village about two hours from our training site. We arrived here yesterday and will leave for another village tomorrow. We are on our tech trip where we learn a lot more about our specific jobs and projects as community health agents. It is hard to believe that I have already been in Niger for 4 weeks! It has already been such an amazing and eye-opening experience so far! I have been places, met people, and seen things that very few people are able to do so I have been thankful for that. Gosh, there is so much going on here during training that I am exhausted by the time I get home and am usually laying down at about 9.

I really am loving it out here though; it suits me well and I know that I will be able to do some amazing work here. As you all can imagine I take my camera everywhere and the photographic opportunities are endless! All of my fellow trainees are amazing people and I have already formed many strong bonds. It is hot here but I have gotten used to it as well as the everyday routine of taking a bucket bath, using the squat latrine and sleeping under a mosquito net outdoors. The lack of what I know as good food has been the hardest thing to adjust to. I rarely get meat but I have eaten more rice and millet than I ever have cared to.

The training has been great and I have picked up the local language quite well. We will swear in and become volunteers in another month or so and then we will be sent to our different sites which is exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. This is the first time I have been able to get on a computer and it will probably be some time before I can access it again. Please please please write me a letter or letters because that helps so much when the days are tough and I am missing home!

Please write AIR MAIL and PAR AVION on the envelope and make sure to put the letter in a plain envelope as well as write letter 1 for the first one you send and so on. Also, if you feel inclined, add a newspaper clipping or any interesting news from the States as our access to US news is very very limited! Also, if you guys feel especially inclined, a little care package would mean the world to me! Include anything you like, but especially snacks and a book or magazine.

So I will sum up a few of the higlights and lowlights of the trip thus far, but feel free to ask specific questions in letters and I will have plenty of time to answer them. The scenery is amazing and everything is green now that it is the peak of rainy season. There are these amazing mesas that we hike up and spend time on, either taking pictures during the day or hanging out by the fire at night. The storms are amazingly powerful yet beautiful. The people are extremely generous and warm and I have spent many afternoons just sitting by them and enjoying their company.

The poverty is something that you have to live in to realize its extent. Never have I seen so many malnourished children, some even so malnourished that their skin hangs from their body. The health care system is horrible so I know that I will have my work cut out for me. There is trash everywhere and sanitation is not something that people understand.

All in all I am loving it here though, don't get me wrong. You just have to keep a positive attitude and look at the brighter side of things. I have already learned so much about life and about myself.

I have to run now and make it back to the hostel. Please write me letters because my internet access will be limited. I love you all and miss you dearly. Much love from Niger, James.

Letter to Family #1

7/31/07

Hey guys! Hope everything in the States is going well for all of you. Things are just fine here; no need to worry! By the time you get this letter, you should have received an email from the Peace Corps letting you know that we arrived safe and sound with no problems. For the most part, everything has run smoothly since we arrived. I have already seen and learned so much! I'll give you a quick run through of the cool and not-so-cool things that have taken place since our arrival on Friday.

We met many of the Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) and Admins at the airport before heading to the country director's place. We had a short welcome speech and introduction by some of the staff as well as a few American snacks...

Okay, we just had our first health lesson so I had to stop writing for a bit. The topic was diarrhea - fun stuff! Anyway, we took a 30-minute ride from the capital to our compound and got there around dusk. We took our luggage to our rooms and set up the mosquito nets over our beds outside. After dinner, we were all exhausted from the long day so I spent my first night in Niger on a mattress on top a wooden cot with only a net between me and the sky. It is beautiful out here... You can see forever! There are no tall structures (other than a large cell phone tower and the mosque in the village) in sight. The sunsets are like nowhere I have ever seen.

Day 2 was fun. We had a cultural fair during the afternoon were we learned some of the everyday activities and jobs of local Nigeriens. We saw a band, women pounding millet into flour, a rope maker, a barber, a traditional medicine man, a mat maker and a sandal maker. It was really neat being able to interact with the Nigeriens. That evening, we watched a performance by some men and women from the Wodabi tribe who live in northern Niger. They painted their faces and did a traditional dance where the men roll their eyes and show their teeth in order to attract women (the same performance I saw on the National Geographic channel!) It was great! We got to take pictures with them afterwards.

There was a big rainstorm that evening and our sheets and mattresses got very damp, so it was a little uncomfortable sleeping that night. Sunday was a pretty good time - a bunch of logistics and training for the different things we would have to do while living with our host family, such as taking a bucket bath, using a squat toilet, washing our socks/underwear, etc. (Note: they have showers and real toilets on the compound.) On Sunday evening, our families came to the compound and we followed them back to their home (concession).

This guy named Frease is my roommate there. He's another trainee in my stage group and he's from Washington.

The first night was a little rough because I know very little Zarma so there was hardly any communication. I also had to use the squat latrine for the first time, which was not a fun experience. Just imagine a hole in the ground and that's it...you just squat and try to keep your balance. The bucket bath isn't bad, though. Just a cup and a bucket of water and you bathe...

On Monday we had our first language class, which was very helpful. It made my second night with my host family much more productive. We also broke up into our different sectors (mine being health) and had an overview, shared ideas between the trainees (us), the PCVs (current volunteers), and the APCD (director for health). I really got a better idea of my job duties and the difficulties I will encounter at post. We played soccer after class during our free time (5:00 to 6:00 p.m.) which was great. Today (Tuesday) we went to the market and I bought some fabric to make a few handkerchiefs with. I need to go later and buy some laundry detergent.

I guess that's all for now. No sickness yet but in sha ailah (God willing) it won't happen. Please write soon! I love you all! Take care! James a.k.a. Riduan

One month in Niger!

So I finally got access to a computer that was faster than dial-up and it is amazing. Quick update on my life in Niger. Time has flown by since I've been here in country. We are about half-way through training and we find out soon where we will be posted for the next 2 years on Friday! Pretty exciting, but nerve-wracking at the same time. I have already had so many amazing experiences here so I'll point out just a few. Well first of all, the climate and landscape are completely different that I had expected. Since it is rainy season, everything is green and it's not all sand like I thought. I live outside of the village where we train and it is amazing being away from the "city life". The millet has quadrupled in size since I arrived and is now about 4-5 feet tall. We have millet all around our compound and in fields that go on forever. It is amazing to be taking a bucket bath during sunrise or sunset and look out towards the fields and enjoy the scenery. It's one of my favorite times during the day. The lightning is also a beautiful phenomenon that we get to experience quite often. It's much different than in the States, but hard to explain. The entire sky lights up and the lightning strikes for up to 6 seconds at a time. The showers are intense and the wind is amazing. I have also gotten used to sleeping outside with only a mosquito net between me and the night sky. The stars are beautiful on a clear night, another sight that is amazing compared to in the States. I have not seen much wildlife but I hope to see the free-roaming giraffes at some point soon. I have been able to see quite a few camels which is pretty neat, yet I haven't been able to ride them...yet. There are also these immense mesas around where we have been staying and I have had the opportunity to hike up more than one and enjoy the view from the top. It is indescribable to be able to see the horizon all around you. You can see mud brick houses, cattle, donkeys, and villagers nearby, and trees and bushes forever. The sunsets are beautiful. Well, that's all I can write for now. Time to head back to normal life back in the village. Until next time, kala tonton!

Last letter from the states!

Just wanted to let everyone know that pre-service training was great and i'm heading to Niger with 41 of the most amazing friends! I can't wait to get there and immerse myself in the culture! I'll update this as soon as possible, but until then everyone take care! Peace and Love, James

Community Health Agent

Sannu!

I just received the packet detailing what my actual assignment will be once I get to Niger. My official title is "Community Health Agent". The Peace Corps Niger's health mission includes: "Improving maternal and infant health, improving the nutritional status of households, and improving the community's ability to prevent and treat illnesses." Wow! Sounds like I will have my work cut out for me!

Some examples of the kind of work I will be doing at my post include:

• Giving presentations on health and hygiene to local clinics and schools
• Training villagers on how to keep their well more sanitary
• Assisting with Polio vaccination campaigns
• Doing a weekly radio show promoting healthy lifestyles
• Talking to women about HIV/AIDS

By the time my three-month training is over, I will HOPEFULLY be prepared to accomplish all the tasks at hand and help Nigeriens live a healthier life. Staging will be here before I know it...only 3 weeks from today and I am so excited! Until next time...

Sai anjima!

Monday, June 25, 2007

Sannu!

I just wanted to give everyone a brief description about Niger so you all will have an idea about the country that I will be living in for the next two years, so here it goes...

Niger is one of the largest countries in northwest Africa. Its area is slightly less than twice the size of Texas. Niger shares its border with seven other countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, and Nigeria. It is a land-locked country with the northern two-thirds of the country lying within the Sahara desert. Most of the twelve million Nigeriens live in the semi-arid zone across the southern one-third of the country known as the Sahel.

Niger faces many problems, both environmentally and economically. Niger was ranked 177 out of 177 countries on the 2005 UN Human Development Index. About 80% of the population are subsistence farmers and herders. The country faces rapid population growth (3.6% annually) and its per capita GDP was only $185 (US) in 2003. Only 46% of households have access to potable drinking water and only 27% of the population over the age of 15 is literate. Millet is the staple food in most of the country, however, sorghum and rice are also staple foods.

I am only writing you these facts in order to inform you all of the plight of this country, not to scare anyone. I know I have a difficult task ahead of me, yet I will try my best to help the Nigeriens better their lives so that they can provide for themselves well after my service has ended.

I guess that's about it for now.

Sai an jima,

James

Monday, June 18, 2007

Hello everyone,
I decided to set up this blog website because it will be my best way of relaying information to you guys while I'm out of the country. I have recently received my assignment to serve in the Peace Corps and I will be leaving on July 24, 2007.
I will be doing Community Health Education/Health Extension in Niger for the next 27 months. On the 24th of July I will fly out to Philadelphia for a three day pre-departure orientation and then I will fly to Niger for three months of pre-service training (PST) before I am sent to a rural village to begin my work. During training I will learn all of the necessary skills (language, technical, cross-cultural, etc) that I will need once I arrive in my village.
For now, I am making the necessary preparations to prepare for a 27-month trip to Africa! I have begun to learn French, the business language in Niger, as well as two local languages, Hausa and Zarma. I have also tried to start packing what I think I'll need for the next two years although packing for two years in only two bags is not as easy as you would think!
Well, I guess that's all for now, I will give further details as my departure date draws nearer!

Salaam aleikum,
James