My classic-styled Nigerien mud and straw hut

Tama

I received my assignment, and I will be in Tama, a village in the Tahoua region tucked away amidst green lush valleys and lots of trees. I went to the village and met the mayor, who I will be working with. He is very nice and seems to be very motivated and ready for me to get to work there. My house is mud brick with a lot of space in the front yard, where I am hoping to grow a garden and keep a pet goat. Of course, I will keep the goat in a separate area so that it doesn't eat my garden goods. I am finishing training this week and will be sworn in as a volunteer on Thursday. If you want to send letters, my address at my post will be:

Kathryn Evans, PCV
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 89
Konni, Niger
West Africa

One month today...

August 9th...I arrived in Niger one month ago today. Life is very different here: lots of sand, goats, naked babies and millet. I am learning how to speak Hausa, a national language, and am taking classes everyday learning about Nigerien culture, health and safety, and technical training. I am living with a host family with 26 people, goats, sheep, oxen, dogs, cats and the lot. Lots of action! I sleep outside and love looking at the stars each night. The people here are very warm and kind, and there are some characters as well. I am eating a lot of millet and corn, but I did bring peanut butter, which my host mom caught me sneaking some spoonfuls the other night after dinner. Yesterday I went shopping in a real grocery store for the first time in Niamey, the capital, where I felt slightly overwhelmed by all of the choices but was pleased that I could purchase chocolate, oranges and nuts. The pace of life is very slow and requires a lot of patience, especially this morning when a group of us had to wait two and a half bloody hours for a bus to go to Niamey. "Sai hankuri" is Hausa, meaning to have patience, so I keep this is mind throughout my days here. Next week, I will find out my site placement and will be sworn in as a volunteer on September 10th. Thank you for your support, and all of you are in my daily thoughts. I will keep everyone posted once I get my site placement.

Leaving Today...

I just finished orientation and leave today for Niger. I have spent quite a bit of time the last couple of days wandering the streets of Philadelphia and taking in the sights. I am mesmorized at the unique history of the United States and the founding principles that the United States embodies. It has given me a deep appreciation for the liberties that I have and the people who fought so fiercely for those liberties. I go to Niger with a sense of pride, hope and appreciation for my life and hope to represent America and all that it stands for in the best way I can. I feel blessed to have this opportunity and am so excited for what awaits. Farewell my Lady Liberty!

Two weeks to go...

I am leaving for Niger exactly two weeks from today. Each day, I get more excited, filled with anticipation of the adventures that lie ahead and the people that I will meet. I have no expectations of what my experience will be like. At this point I am focused on what I will pack. Considering I have difficulty packing for a week long vacation, I am giving much thought to the necessities I must take. Peanut butter. Matches. Sudoku books. Those neat washcloths that expand when you put them in water. That's a start anyway. Beyond packing, I am spending my time trying to improve my French with Rosetta Stone (I call her Rosie), spending quality time with family and friends and enjoying the comforts of American life such as grilled cheese sandwiches, air conditioning and flushing toilets.