Ruth Sitton DeMaio, a former Peace Corps worker in Niger, has been gathering aid to help people in cities and villages where she used to live and work



The money DeMaio raised was sent to friends in Niger, who then crossed the border into Nigeria, purchased food, and brought it back into Niger. A friend from Niger, Harouna Amani, who is now a journalist in Saudi Arabia, has been keeping tabs on the food distribution. Two friends in Niger, Ousmane Alou and Bagadou Salifou, were in charge of purchasing and distributing the food.

Ruth Sitton DeMaio, a former Peace Corps worker in Niger, has been gathering aid to help people in cities and villages where she used to live and work

Aid finds its way to Niger

By THERESA HOGUE
Gazette-Times reporter

Corvallis residents come through with donations

Money gathered in Corvallis to help starving residents in Niger has been successfully transformed into food and distributed to thousands of people in need, according to Corvallis resident Ruth Sitton DeMaio. She received several thousand dollars from members of the St. Mary's Catholic Church, and another $1,500 from the outside community, which is being sent to Niger.

DeMaio, a former Peace Corps worker in Niger, has been gathering aid to help people in cities and villages where she used to live and work. Niger is currently suffering from a food shortage following a drought that severely effected crops. DeMaio was featured in a story that appeared in the Aug. 16 edition of the Gazette-Times.

The money DeMaio raised was sent to friends in Niger, who then crossed the border into Nigeria, purchased food, and brought it back into Niger.

A friend from Niger, Harouna Amani, who is now a journalist in Saudi Arabia, has been keeping tabs on the food distribution. Two friends in Niger, Ousmane Alou and Bagadou Salifou, were in charge of purchasing and distributing the food.

"Salifou and Ousmane bought 30 sacks of millets, 20 of Garin rogo (dry cassava) and four of kuli-kuli. Garin rogo mixed with kuli-kuli and green salad makes a rich meal!" Amani wrote in a recent e-mail to DeMaio.

In total, the men bought about 5.4 tons of food. It was distributed in Matankarawa and Dolinka Ka Zoma, both areas in crisis. Approximately 2,500 people received food.

Amani, calling DeMaio by the name she was called in Niger, praised the fund-raising efforts and Corvallis' response.

"Rakia, you are doing a very important thing for Niger! I think our thanks on earth are minor to your reward and your people's reward from God," Amani wrote.

When this story was posted in August 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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Top Story: Military Option sparks concerns The U.S. military, struggling to fill its voluntary ranks, is allowing recruits to meet part of their reserve military obligations after active duty by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is opposition to the program among RPCVs. Director Vasquez says the agency has a long history of accepting qualified applicants who are in inactive military status. John Coyne says "Not only no, but hell no!" and RPCV Chris Matthews leads the debate on "Hardball." Latest: Avi Spiegel says Peace Corps is not the place for soldiers while Coleman McCarthy says to Welcome Soldiers to the Peace Corps. RPCVs: Take our Poll.

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Upcoming Events: Peace Corps Fund in NYC Peace Corps Fund announces Sept 29 Fund Raiser in NYC High Atlas Foundation Hosts a Reception in NYC on Sept 15 Jody Olsen to address Maryland RPCVs at Sept 17 picnic "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept "Iowa in Ghana" at "The Octogan" in Ames through October 7 RPCV Film Festival in DC in October RPCV's exhibit at Museum of Man in San Diego thru May 2006

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Top Stories: August 20, 2005 Jack Crandall writes "Memories relished by WWII Generation" Cris Groenendaal plays Phantom of Opera on Broadway 19 Aug Peace Corps Director Travels to Madagascar 19 Aug RPCV presents "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" 19 Aug Robert Brown to head Southeast Asian Studies at UCLA 19 Aug Peter McPherson to head national university association 19 Aug Len Flier says US has lose-lose scenario in Iraq 18 Aug Ruth DeMaio sends aid to Niger 18 Aug Bob Taft pleads no contest to ethics law violation 18 Aug Antoinette Allen is Field Hockey coach at Hun School 16 Aug Tony Hall Avoids Mugabe on Zimbabwe trip 14 Aug Peace Corps Receives 2005 Medgar Evers Award 10 Aug Jeff Wray is filming "The Soul Searchers" 10 Aug 40th anniversary of Shriver's Foster Grandparent Program 9 Aug Tom Petri writes "It's not just about highways" 9 Aug Terry Dougherty brings students from Afghanistan to US 8 Aug Chris Newhall is leading volcano scientist 5 Aug Douglas Biklen appointed dean at Syracuse University 5 Aug Greg Kovalchuk and Mike Kelly Find Rare Fossil 4 Aug Edward O'Toole salvages furniture for schools in Honduras 3 Aug Gary Mount is Apple Grower Of The Year 1 Aug

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