Aguie

I had a great time at the primary school in Aguie. So much happened and was accomplished during my 3-day visit. I worked on art projects with each of the classes and met with the teachers and directress. Admittedly, I had the most fun when I was working with the older children. The 3rd grade students really enjoyed creating self portraits. By using mirrors and detailed instructions the kids did a great job and had a fun time in the process - a lot of laughter could be heard. The 4th graders created murals. We drew animals and painted flowers and then added a landscape and homes. The final products didn't turn out exactly how I expected, but they're very interesting none the less. I'm planning on bringing some samples home with me, so let me know if you want to see them.

The school construction committee and the architect met on Wednesday morning. Last year we received a sizable donation to build a three-classroom building. I'm happy to report that all of the paper work for the government has been completed and we are just waiting to receive bids from contractors. The archictect informed me that construction will begin the first week of April and will be completed by the middle of June at the latest. The picture above is of the committee standing in front of the site where the school will be built.

A group from the government came to give immunizations to the younger kids while I was there. Most Nigerien children receive Tetnus, Measles, Polio and Yellow Fever vaccines. If there is an epidemic, Meningitis vaccines are also given.

Twins

I would like to introduce you to Hassane & Ouseinni. They are very energetic students in the 1st grade at the Zinder Primary School. They are also twins. In the Hausa culture, twins are almost always named Hassane and Ouseinni, with Hassane being the 1st born. If they're girls, they're called Hassana and Ousseina. So, as a general rule, if you meet a Hassane in Niger, it's very likely that he has a brother named Ousseini. And, of course, if you meet an Ousseini...

Computers in Niger

Today, I had the opportunity to observe a computer class at the Tsibiri Primary Boarding School. Half of the 5th grade students were waiting outside the classroom when I arrived. There are only 12 computers, so the teacher split the class in half. Even so, there are 2-3 students on every computer. The students in the second class were there almost an hour early because they were so excited to get to use the computers. Joel was already into the lesson for the day when I went into the classroom. The students were being introduced to the Word program for the first time. Joel is such a good teacher, and the students were very engaged. I was really happy to see the lab functioning so well. This summer we're going to install a computer lab at the Zinder Primary School. Like last year we'll help host a teacher training seminar while were there. Based on Joel's feedback, we decided to add a powerpoint projector to each computer lab this year, and, in the future, we would like to add more computers.

Please contact me if you would like to go to Niger this summer.

Food in Niger

Last Fall, many generous people in the US gave money to the Remember Niger Coalition so that all of the kindergarten students and the most needy students would be given a meal each day. I was very happy to see that happening at the Zinder primary school! The children and their parents are extremely grateful.

Art in Zinder

I just spent three great days in Zinder, where I worked with the EERN primary school. I stayed with Pastor Labo and his wife, who were so nice and helpful. It was really a pleasure staying with them. I also enjoyed working with the children and teachers at the school. My objectives included doing art projects with the kids, getting to know the staff and students better, and gaining a better understanding of how the school operates.

While we had fun making masks, drawing and coloring fish and other animals, the one project that seemed to always amaze the teachers and students was the "hand into chicken" trick/drawing. In the United States, almost all students have used their hands to make turkeys at Thanksgiving. Yet, because this is something that most kids in Niger have yet to do, I feel a bit like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat when I explain how it works. It was very cute when I introduced this project to the pre-school kids. After their teacher translated word for word that we were going to "make chickens with our hands" they all looked around in amazement. The teacher started laughing and told me that the kids thought that we were going to make real chickens.

Elections

The big news in Niger is the Presidential election. During my visit in February 2010, there was a military coup. As I understand it, the president at the time had just changed the constituion so that he could stay in power for 3 more years. One of the generals didn't agree with that decision, and so there was a coup. That's a simplified version, but the main point is that it left everyone wondering if Niger's government would return to democratic rule. With that in mind, all of my Nigerien friends were relieved and happy that an election for president took place last week Monday. The presidential election process is different in Niger than the US. In order for a candidate to win, he must have at least 50% of the vote. Since there were 10 candidates this time, that's very difficult to accomplish in one election day. Instead, it's more likely that they will determine the top two candidates who received the most votes. Once that has been announced, then those candidates have a few weeks to consilidate their support and continue campaigning. There will be a run off on March 12. It sounds like they will announce the winner(s) sometime this week.

Busy & Hot

I took Ruth to the airport in Niamey this past Tuesday night. Hopefully, she made it back to her home in Minnesota by now! Niamey is like all big cities in that everyone seems to be in a hurry. Also, it is usually 5 - 10 degrees hotter and more humid than Maradi, since it sits in a relative valley by the Niger River. So, like everyone else, I find myself very busy and hot in Niamey. On this 3 day visit Ruth and I saw the site where the EERN wants to build its next primary school, met with its committee, spent time with friends, met with the PeaceCorps director, and toured the new CURE International hospital. Wow! What a great hospital! We are really lucky to have CURE in Niger. They primarily work with disabled children but do take private patients in order to raise revenue. For example, a missionary friend fell and broke her foot 4 weeks ago. She went to CURE to have the cast put on and taken off. (I included a picture of the children's ward in the blog entry.)

A few faithful followers of this blog have asked some questions, which I'll try to answer. One person asked about what immunizations the Nigerien children receive. Actually, I don't have an answer to that question yet, but I'm looking into it. Regarding mosquito nets at the Tsibiri Primary boarding school... Some boarding students do have mosquito nets on their beds, however more are definitely needed. When I asked the director that question, he told me that the greater need was more beds. As it is now, 2-3 students share a single bed. You can see in the picture an example of a bunk bed with mosquito netting. Actually, I chose that picture in part because I thought the way the children had created a "fort" on the top bunk was really cute. I'm assuming they were trying to find some privacy, which makes sense since there are over 75 children in that dorm room.