Wa fonda kayan! Mate faycere? That means "welcome" and "How's our time apart been?" in Zarma and is traditionally the way that we start our radio shows in Birni. This week I'm in the capital city of Niamey for a conference on radio work in Niger. As with most conferences, it's had its ups and downs, but it has been really interesting to talk to other volunteers and their counterparts (the Nigeriens they work with in radio) from throughout Niger about how their stations operate and how they create shows. I'm really looking forward to taking some of the ideas I've learned about here and trying them out with the Birni station when I return next week!

I'm very grateful that I have the radio station to work with since work in the village has been different than I imagined it would be. Even though I've been officially tasked with working with decentralization in our mayor's office, his frequent absence makes it extremely difficult to plan any projects. This has led me to branch out and become more involved with the schools in my village. With the help of a neighboring volunteer, I am getting ready to complete my "World Map Project," a map of the world painted on the side of the primary school in my village. Even though it's not as perfect as I would have liked, the community seems really excited about it, and that is enough for me!

With the beginning of "Hot Season" (March-May) most of my villager’s gardens have died off, including mine. I did manage to get a lot of lettuce, but not much else would grow for me; however, my villagers have told me next year will be better since I know what I'm doing now! I appreciate their faith in me, but I have to admit that my thumb isn't as green as I had hoped.

The next big planting will probably happen at the end of May, right after the first rains. This is when Nigeriens typically plant their millet/sorghum crops that they live off every season. The time between the new crop's planting and harvest is difficult as last year's food stores become depleted. This is often when famines occur and more malnutrition can be seen in the most vulnerable of the population. I'm worried about my village, but hopeful that the rains will come quickly so the planting and harvest can begin as soon as possible.

Next month I'll be taking my first vacation since I got to Niger (almost 9 months ago!). I'm going to meet up with my father and brother in Paris for a week. Family is a really important part of Nigerien life so my villagers have been very understanding about my desire to take some time to visit with them. I plan on jumping right back into work when I return, and I will try to get another post out ASAP. As always, KALA SUURU! (have patience!)