Hi all! I'm leaving in early January for Niger. Before I go I was hoping to talk to a few people who volunteered there. Do you have any words of wisdom, advice, what do you wish you had taken, what do you wish you had done before you left, what do you wish you had left at home.... I would love to hear anything you are willing to share!

By Anonymous (mail3.mbfinancial.com - 65.204.120.4) on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 6:48 pm: Edit Post

Hi Alisa, I know some people in Niger and would suggest trying to get in touch with them on Myspace. There's even a Niger group, send them a message and see who gets back to you!

By Alisa Jeffrey (63-196-233-23.ci.capitola.ca.us - 63.196.233.23) on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 2:43 pm: Edit Post

Hi Anon! Thank you for the tip. I don't have a myspace account, but was able to read a few of the posts on the group page. Thanks again!

By BarbaraJ Olufs (lakeshoreslib-98.nat.wiscnet.net - 216.56.81.98) on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 2:54 pm: Edit Post

Hey Alisa
Some hints for you

If you hear a loud chewing sound when you wake in Nigers bush don't freak
Its probably a camel having her breakfast of your roof
Remember she was there before you and your hut is just the right height

Etron means Stars
Talet means Moon

Pass the tea cup to your left first and sip loudly

You don't have to drink the fura.... check to see if the cook has a TB cough first

Take your malaria meds without fail

When everyone is running some night through the streets of Niamey in a panic like state don't fret its probably just a lunar eclipse

The wonderful salad of the street sellers in niamey is full of parasites so take it home and at least rinse it if not soak it in iodine water in your fridge

The cass de passage is a great place to pick up a good book to read on long quiet days in the bush Just return it when your done for the next PCV you'll also make great friends there

There are cobras in Niger both in the dry and wet areas so be ready at all times. Just be aware.

Bush cats can kill scorpions with ease and they eat them so they are nice to have scampering around

A fuloni is nice to have around on very deep harmattan windswept days.. They can find a small child in the depth of the sandstorm no problem

Always offer a stranger a room and some food as they pass through... and not just tea and sugar... something with sustinance

Learn to ride a camel ... It's easy and will be a lifelong gift to you

Take pictures for slide shows or movies someday you'll be glad you did

Email me kbjjz@juno.com for more words of wisdom

Barb O

By Anonymous (family-l-s232h158.resnet.uga.edu - 128.192.232.158) on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 10:18 pm: Edit Post

I only saw one dead cobra so don't worry too much about that. Just be sure to make noise and bring a flashlight when you use the bathroom at night.

By Anonymous (pool-72-84-42-94.clrkwv.east.verizon.net - 72.84.42.94) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 12:31 pm: Edit Post

Don't be afraid to marry another Volunteer, I did, and so did many other couples in my group, and we have all had great lives and we are all still together, with lots of children!