FONDA KAYAN
NIGER December 2001
I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer from 11/1991 through 3/1995 in Niger, West Africa. I served 2 years in the Village of Tabla about 100km east of the Capital Niamey. I spoke mostly Zarma, some Hausa and some French. My village projects included a Pharmacy, well construction of several types, gardening, seed and food banks, woodless construction and I put speed bumps in a busy nearby market village. I then extended my service with the desire to learn more Hausa. So, I moved out to Zinder. Zinder is the ancient capital of Niger and its about 1200km east of Niamey. I lived there for 6 months and then moved west to Maradi and lived there for 6 months.
Stacey (my wife), also served as a volunteer. She arrived at the end of 1992 and we started dating at the end of 1993. Stacey served as a Wildlife Biologist in Park W. She lived in the headquarters village of Tapoa about 120km south of Niamey. Park W was the only location in Niger that really had any wildlife - lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, antelope of all kinds, wart hogs etc. Every place else in Niger had only sheep and goats. Stacey started up a cheetah study and determined that the entire population of cheetahs in Park W totalled only about 20!
Almost everyone who visits Africa is changed forever...its not a cliche. I can't describe it adequately, but if you ever lend me your ear I would sure try ;-) In December 2001 Stacey and I returned to Niger and to our villages for the first time in 7 years. The photos on the following pages document some of the trip. Before you check them out, let me tell you some of what I discovered or re-discovered during my trip:
- 7 years is a long time to be away, but not so long that friends forget you.
- ...not only do they not forget, they remember everything and everyone in vivid (and fond) detail.
- Volunteers often struggle with the question of whether or not they make a difference...well, I can say for a fact that you do...see my 2 points above. I can also speak from my own perspective on the huge impact Niger has made on my life.
- The only true difference between Niger and anyplace else in the world is that they have a whole lot more sand!
- Americans look ridiculous in traditional African costume.
- There seems to be an inverse correlation between material wealth and generosity.
- Never presume someone else's happiness or misery.
- A dry heat is still hot.
- Never apologize for who you are or where you come from.
- Never take for granted who you are or where you come from.
- Its OK to take pride in your accomplishments.
- Don't assume that your airline tickets are confirmed.
- Know the baggage weight limits for EACH leg of int'l flights and DON'T GO OVER unless you are prepared for the consequences!
- France is *REALLY* cold in December! (but the people are warm ;-)
- Traveler's cheques are next to worthless! They are expensive and almost impossibile to use.
- ATMs in France don't have letters on the key pad...so make sure you know your PINs by the numbers!
- Lastly...you CAN go home ;-) Things change and people change, but change is good and the important things will always remain close.
There is so much more, but check out the pictures and see some of Niger's charms yourself.
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