So, with a little more than one month in, I have to apologize for my lack of correspondence… I had thought (or hoped) that we would have a bit more access to “the outside world”, but I was wrong. So to cram a months worth of information into a few measly paragraphs, forgive me if this blog is both long and random.
On October 9th we (my training group, or ‘stage’ in PC lingo, with 26 of us) stepped off the plane into 49 degree Celsius heat. This was, of course, after having spent close to 24 (quality) hours in various airports and with Air France. All in this stage are in one of two sectors: Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (PC lingo: Ag’s and NRM’s), out of about 13 Ag’s, there are three of us Animal Husbandry specialists, but more on that later. Keep in mind, though our group had only met on the 7th, I feel like we got to know each other fast (a lot of time to kill in layovers) or maybe it was the whole moving half way around the world thing, I don’t know.
Since our first day in country, we have been split up in several ways; after an initial interview, we discovered which language we would be speaking for the next two years and also the general area in which we would most likely be placed (I am learning Hausa, which is mostly spoken further east in Tauha, Maradi, and Zinder regions) also we were divided (according to language) into three villages which we met our new host families we would be living with for the duration of training.
Host family life is both wonderful and challenging on several levels… It is really great to see and experience how a Nigerien family (not a Nigerian family- that would be in Nigeria) is structured and works, while at the same time it’s been a struggle both in lack of language and independence. My family consists of our Baba (father), his two wives, and several children at various ages. I really enjoy and appreciate their definition of ‘family’ as it can include immediate brothers and sisters, far distant relatives, or even someone living with them while studying at school. This, at the same time, makes figuring out who’s who in the family near impossible. Also interesting, is that they really don’t celebrate birthdays, and while some keep track of their age, my host-sister’s age seems to change each time I ask.
The standards of living here are obviously simplistic in every sense of the word. My host family has a large adobe/mud-brick wall around their concession with a large metal door to the road. Inside the concession or compound, my roommate and I have our own smaller concession made of a woven grass wall surrounding our grass hut. No, no electricity, no running water. At night we sleep under the stars in our small concession under mosquito nets, which is on of my favorite parts of Niger so far- well, until morning… around 5 o’clock, the first call to prayer begins over a loud speaker, which starts off the roosters, which starts off the chickens, which starts of the donkeys- which may be the most obnoxious sound in all of Niger, but despite the rambunctious wakeup call, I love sleeping outside every night.
I thought about adding a paragraph in here about the use of the squat-latrine, or bucket bathing, but I feel those two phrases bring about some pretty accurate images, so I’ll leave that out (unless anyone is DYING for more info).
Basically since day one, the typical schedule has been filled with near 4 hours of Language class a day, an hour or two of technical training, and twice a week we get medical and cultural training (and SHOTS- I’m pretty sure I’ve been vaccinated for just about EVERYTHING by now). The Peace Corps Niger staff are pretty much amazing and do a pretty impressive job of getting us to the point of competency in which we can move out to the bush alone.
Just so you know, the idea of me getting a horse, donkey, or camel is NOT out of the question and I am still considering the possibility (or more so which one), but there are volunteers currently that own each of the above animals- I just need to wait until I actually move to my post and get settled in.
There is so much more to add, like I said, this post ended up both long and random, and while I have other things to write, I feel that most deserve their own blog (things like the election, bush taxis, the Hausa language, etc…) But now that we have progressed in our training to the point in which we are allowed to travel by ourselves, I’m hoping to get to the internet at least once every couple weeks and adding a couple blogs each time. That said, feel free to write me all the letters you want!!!! Letters from anyone are key (ask any volunteer) and can make or break a day!
Sai Angima!
On October 9th we (my training group, or ‘stage’ in PC lingo, with 26 of us) stepped off the plane into 49 degree Celsius heat. This was, of course, after having spent close to 24 (quality) hours in various airports and with Air France. All in this stage are in one of two sectors: Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (PC lingo: Ag’s and NRM’s), out of about 13 Ag’s, there are three of us Animal Husbandry specialists, but more on that later. Keep in mind, though our group had only met on the 7th, I feel like we got to know each other fast (a lot of time to kill in layovers) or maybe it was the whole moving half way around the world thing, I don’t know.
Since our first day in country, we have been split up in several ways; after an initial interview, we discovered which language we would be speaking for the next two years and also the general area in which we would most likely be placed (I am learning Hausa, which is mostly spoken further east in Tauha, Maradi, and Zinder regions) also we were divided (according to language) into three villages which we met our new host families we would be living with for the duration of training.
Host family life is both wonderful and challenging on several levels… It is really great to see and experience how a Nigerien family (not a Nigerian family- that would be in Nigeria) is structured and works, while at the same time it’s been a struggle both in lack of language and independence. My family consists of our Baba (father), his two wives, and several children at various ages. I really enjoy and appreciate their definition of ‘family’ as it can include immediate brothers and sisters, far distant relatives, or even someone living with them while studying at school. This, at the same time, makes figuring out who’s who in the family near impossible. Also interesting, is that they really don’t celebrate birthdays, and while some keep track of their age, my host-sister’s age seems to change each time I ask.
The standards of living here are obviously simplistic in every sense of the word. My host family has a large adobe/mud-brick wall around their concession with a large metal door to the road. Inside the concession or compound, my roommate and I have our own smaller concession made of a woven grass wall surrounding our grass hut. No, no electricity, no running water. At night we sleep under the stars in our small concession under mosquito nets, which is on of my favorite parts of Niger so far- well, until morning… around 5 o’clock, the first call to prayer begins over a loud speaker, which starts off the roosters, which starts off the chickens, which starts of the donkeys- which may be the most obnoxious sound in all of Niger, but despite the rambunctious wakeup call, I love sleeping outside every night.
I thought about adding a paragraph in here about the use of the squat-latrine, or bucket bathing, but I feel those two phrases bring about some pretty accurate images, so I’ll leave that out (unless anyone is DYING for more info).
Basically since day one, the typical schedule has been filled with near 4 hours of Language class a day, an hour or two of technical training, and twice a week we get medical and cultural training (and SHOTS- I’m pretty sure I’ve been vaccinated for just about EVERYTHING by now). The Peace Corps Niger staff are pretty much amazing and do a pretty impressive job of getting us to the point of competency in which we can move out to the bush alone.
Just so you know, the idea of me getting a horse, donkey, or camel is NOT out of the question and I am still considering the possibility (or more so which one), but there are volunteers currently that own each of the above animals- I just need to wait until I actually move to my post and get settled in.
There is so much more to add, like I said, this post ended up both long and random, and while I have other things to write, I feel that most deserve their own blog (things like the election, bush taxis, the Hausa language, etc…) But now that we have progressed in our training to the point in which we are allowed to travel by ourselves, I’m hoping to get to the internet at least once every couple weeks and adding a couple blogs each time. That said, feel free to write me all the letters you want!!!! Letters from anyone are key (ask any volunteer) and can make or break a day!
Sai Angima!
3 comments:
WHAT is that animal on your shoulder? LOL! Is it a monkey? GREAT pics and great blog! So nice to read in depth a little more of what you're doing. I can't wait for your additional blogs on bush taxis, etc. I'm just wondering how you're going to get your pet camel home after your PC service! I know you'll do a fantastic job there and a big help to all of the people. Best of everything!
Oh. My. Gosh. WOW. Um... is this the same Nichole I used to know? :) So back in high school I could have never pictured you living in a place I can't even pronounce right (Tyler made fun of me). I'm so glad you were able to post again!
I loved your post and I hope you can write more soon! What you're doing is so amazing and a REAL adventure--I'm so excited for/amazed by you! (Mostly I just wish you were here, though!)
Every once in awhile, someone either at the house or at the barn will say, "Know who I miss? Nichole!" And then everyone else will say, "Oh, me too!"
Just so you know...you're missed!
I also wonder how you will get your pet horse/donkey/camel home, but I'm sure you'll figure it out LOL
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