Pictures!

Back to Niamey for In-Service training. Thanksgiving went well. We had to kill our own turkey, but I would expect nothing less here :) Enjoy the pics!













My crazy village kids. The little girl in the middle has dinner with me every night.

A PCV known as "Cewbaca" (yes, that's right) in Niger had a wedding ceremony in his village which is near mine... his gf from the states came up for it. This is me and steph and some other PCV's at the wedding.

Um... how do I explain this one? After my month live-in (which I got through without getting sick thank you very much), Team Z threw all of us newbies an 80's party. The tackiness ensued! So much fun!

Me and Steph at one of our language instructor's wedding in the Zinder region. Like my outfit? You know you do.

This little boy kept coming up to me at the wedding. He was so cute! But it's funny, he was wearing more American looking clothes than me!




Another PCV's girls' soccer team. Go team and coach Danel! Me and Kellie went to watch the girls' soccer tournament which is held every year. Playing soccer seems to really give the girls a lot of empowerment.

A visit to G-side and Jen's Village which is an Oasis tucked away in Zinder. They have palm trees! Here we are wading through the "Hanya Ruwa."

Thanksgiving feasting and cooking! We had SO MUCH food, I think I gained about 20 pounds that day. Oh and I got suckered into helping someone (ahem, Danel and Noah) make empanadas...it took forever!!

Me and Steph on the 17 hour bus ride to IST. We go a little crazy after so many hours, but can you blame us?

Hanging with the Village people (Sulan's title; not Sommer's ... she is not that lame)

Well I'm back in Zinder after one month in my village, and I have been here for about a week. I go back tomorrow, and I am actually more excited than nervous which I take as a good sign. My village was wonderful. The first two weeks were pretty challenging, but after many rounds of greeting everyone and finding a friend or two, everyone warmed up. Much of my time was spent trying to establish some sort of routine. It's a chore just to put away my bed in the mornings, get dressed, cook breakfast, go for a run, visit people, etc. It's great though because it all fills up my day nicely and gives me something to do while I'm struggling to learn the language. Everyone I've talked to in the states has asked me what kind of work I've been doing, so I'm just going to say to all of you that the first 6 months are pretty much dedicated to getting to know my community and learning the language. I can't really get anything done until I can communicate and know what it is they need help with. But let me tell you, the learning the language part is definitely work! Anyhow, I will keep everyone updated on work stuff when I actually start a project. Also, people have also been asking what my village is like and what the culture is like. It's kind of hard to explain but I will try my best. Islam plays a really big role in the country so it kind of mandates that people (mostly just the men as the women are constantly working at home) pray five times a day (which is announced by a town caller) and that they dress modestly...so sleeves and long skirts for the women, as well as covering their heads, and then pants and sleeves for the men as well. The men keep there hair short too. I am really luck in that, as a foreigner, I can get away with not covering my head adn wearing pants as a woman. However, I do try to dress modestly out of respect. Also, I do not cover my head which is okay with them as well. With that said, the people are incredibly nice and always smiling. It's actually quite suprising seeing as how they are constantly struggling for food and health. But virtually no one complains about the work. One thing I was really surprised about was that I got asked for gifts constantly. This is actually a part of the culture and people ask eachother for gifts all the time (but they especially ask me because they think since I am from America, I am automatically rich). However, I've gotten used to it, and now I simply turn the tables and ask them for gifts..which they usually get a good laugh out of. Also, I have a family that cooks me dinner every night which is nice...and I'll usually bring them back something from market. Anyhow, it has been good to have a break, but I'm ready to go back. I will be coming back to Zinder for Thanksgiving and will have cell service then. If anyone wants to call around that time, I would love to hear from you. Hope all is well in the states and shoot me an email if you have questions or if you simply want to tell me what's going on in the states adn with you. Take care all!

Sorry... address is wrong!

Hey everybody,

So the previous address that Sommer listed for her in Zinder is incorrect as some of you might of found out when you tried to send her letters and packages. The second to last line where it says

Zinder, Africa is incorrect it acutally should be Zinder, Niger.

So in the future please address it to all the same address except Ziner, Niger instead of Zinder, Africa.

Sulan

Officially a Volunteer

Hey everyone! So yesterday was "swear-in" where I officially transitioned from trainee to volunteer. I am super excited to get to my village and will be leaving for Zinder for good this Saturday. I feel a little nervous but very excited at the same time. This week I will be able to get online a few more times and my phone is available for calls. After this week though it will be harder to get a hold of me so just be advised. I miss you all and hope all is well in the States.

Sommer

Team Zinder

[September 13, 2007]

Well I JUST got back from "live-in" which means that I got an introduction to my village here in Zinder, and let me tell you it is amazing. Scary as hell being the only volunteer there but pretty amazing nonetheless. First of all it's beautiful...the village sits in a vallley with big rolling hills all around. Its breathtaking. Everyone is really nice and the people aren't too conservative so they understand if i wear pants and dont cover my head. its kinda cool. Also, I can exercise and go running and feel completely safe doing it (at training they told us it wasnt okay for a girl to go running by herself or not wear skirts, bla bla bla, which in some villages it isn't, but with mine, I got pretty lucky). There is defintely work to be done as well...nutrition projects, water issues, etc. However, I'm still learning the language so that is the goal for the next couple of months...can't really get much done if I can't communicate ya know? haha. Also, someone in my village speaks English! It was awesome at the time I found out because I got stuck at a market abotu 5K away and was freaking out about how I was goign to get back with the little water I had left adn low and behold this guy comes up to me and starts speaking english! I about hugged him..so needless to say he got me a ride back and I arrived safe and sound. He is going to help me a lot with the local language for sure. Anyway, I go back to training for two more weeks and then come back here to Zinder for the next two years (assuming i pass my language exam, crossing fingers)! Pretty exciting. Also, it might be comforting for you to know that there is another volunteer, kelly, pretty close to my village and we are going to meet at market atleast once a week..and she'll be staying the night probably once a week at my village as well. This is great because we can keep eachother sane adn also do projects and such together. Oh and in other good news I'm putting my name down on the waiting list for a bike because the road to the market is good enough terrain for a nice bike ride...yayyy exercise! Okay, I'm gonna wrap this up, hope all is well with everyone. Keep in touch and let me know how you all are doing as well!!!!

Peace and Love

Sommer

Contact Info

Okay everyone here is my new cell phone number:

o11 227 96544907

The best time to call me is after 6PM here....which since I'm 6 hours behind, means around lunch time for you. If you call me, its free for me! So unlimited talking...or atleast limited to how much you want to pay. :) We can also text apparently, and that is cheaper for me.

Also, once I get to post in October, the only internet I will be able to use will be internet cafe BUT more often than not I will be using the Outlook at our hostel and there is an email address for that computer. However, you MUST put my name in the subject line for emails to get to me. Here is the email address:

zinderpcvs@intnet.ne
Dont' forget! My name needs to be in the subject line.

Hope all is well!

Sommer

One month down...26 to go! haha

Hello all!

Well I am adjusting well here and besided bug bites and other questionable things that I guess you could call bites, I am in health... or "Lahiya Lau" in Hausa. SO I have the BIGGEST news that affects the rest of the next two years of my life, where I will be posted! Drumroll please.... Zinder! Yes! I will be in the far east of the country which many of you may think is crazy, BUT I asked for this region because I've heard so many great things about it. First of all, Zinder used to be the capital back in the day so it is a big city (second to niamey) and I am only 35K away from it which is great. The people of Niger are supposed to be very laid back too and the city is supposedly cleaner. My village is right off of a main road so its easy to catch taxis to the city. A little about my village: has about 800 people, has a market 5K away, and there are some established NGOs there apparently--World Vision and GOAL. The girl who was stationed there before me said she made great friends and did good work with the clinic and actually built a school while she was there. There are a lot of women's projects going on like reading/writing classes in Hausa, sewing/knitting, and the girl before me taught them how to make tofu. how awesome is that? So, anyway, it sounds very exciting, and a soem of the PCV's in Niger have horses...so who knows? Maybe I'll get one! Anyway I'm VERY excited and do my "live-in" not this week but next week which means we go and stay there for abotu five days to do a trial run per say. Another good thing is that I will be next to another PCV...only about 7K and she is in training with me and is really nice. Okay, thats all about my village. Other good news, I'm getting a cell phone! Actually, I already got one, but I don't have teh Sim card yet with my phone number, but when I do I will let you know. So get your calling cards ready and call me up! Here is my new address starting October 1, 2007:

Sommer Neff PCV

Corps de la Paix

BP 641

Zinder, Africa

West Africa

Remember write "air mail" on whatever you send me.

I also want to let everyone know that I am doing really great! I feel like I am getting into a routine now which helps me relax a little and enjoy myself. Language is getting a little easier and I'm just trying not to put to much pressure on myself. I am in high spirits after learning about my future post. Also, I've made a couple of good friends, Natasha, Katie, and James to name a few who have been great ears for me to vent and gab to. However, with that said, I miss you all SOOO much and just wish that I could have you all here with me.

Okay, so Im goign to quickly explain these pictures and they are in no particular order as I am tyring to hurry because there is a line behind me.

1. The group going to Niger out of our Stage. There is only a lucky five of us and we are all girls. woo hoo! However we are joining a pretty big team so it's all good. They gave us awesome tshirts and made cookies for us when announcing our posts. So nice!

2. The "Shake"-- a prominent religious leader we met at at village south of Niamey. Very nice...he treated us all to dinner and cokes.

3. Me playing frisbee with the neighborhood hoodlums. gotta love em.

4. One of the first meals we all ate together. I eat liek this with my host family every night. On a mat with my hands. FUN! haha

Anyway, those are all the pics I could download right now, but i will try to do more later. Thanks for teh awesome camera by the way, it's come in handy.

Okay, well I have to end this, I wish I could write more, but will defintely do so when I have more time.

Missing you all!

Sommer

Where's Sommer?

[taken upon the PC trainees safe arrival to Niger at the end of July]

okay, so this is the biggest they will make the picture without distorting the image. if you want the actual picture file (which is huge), then just email djscrewlan@gmail.com and it will be sent to you. It's like a "Where's Waldo" scenerio because in my opinion, Sommer is hard to spot in this picture, but she looks happy.

Hint: She is sitting on the right.

[blogged by Sulan]

FYI...

[tidbits from a phone conversation with Sommer in Niger, August 19, 2007]

-When she gets her own hut to live it, it will be made out of mud and clay with a thatched roof, which leaks when it rains.

-During the rain season, which is right now, the rain comes quick and sudden without warning.

-Her host family does not speak English, only Hausa.

-Mainly she eats rice and beans, so she would really appreciate a care package, the best things to include would be things that keep such as granola bars, jerky, peanut m&ms, etc [sidenote: packages to Niger are ridiculously expensive as this blogger soon discovered so I, or really it was Jonathan's idea, would suggest cramming things into those $11 global priorty flat rate envelopes]

-she was able to visit a veteran PC member in another village; the villagers all new the veteran PC, who spoke Hausa fluently

-The average Niger girl/woman? gets married at 13, and pregnant by 15 [that's so crazazy young]

-It's shameful to be pregnant; and its shame on the family if the girl shows any pain during her pregnancy.

-Sommer has to wear long skirts,and cover her head with a scarf, which she finds hard for her to conform, but in order for the Nigeriens to take her seriously and to gain respect, she has to follow their traditions.

-She gets made fun of for saying the word "y'all".

-She will be getting a cell phone eventually, but for her to make a call its 1000 francs = $2 a minute so she is encouraging everyone to call her through Skype because its free for her, but will cost some money from our side, but at least not $2 a minute. There will be updates about her phone information.

-And of course, she misses everyone like crazy!

[blogged by Sulan, if there is not this label then Sommer is the one who blogged]

Later is better than never...

[originally written by Sommer August 2, 2007]

Hello everyone! I arrived safely here in Niger; Right now I am training... which means that I'm learning Hausa (a local language, the 2nd most popular in Africa.) annd staying with a host family. It is extrememly intense, and I'm constantly feeling as if I'm keeping my head above water. However, I know it will come with time. "Sai haukuri" or have patience as they say. Still no internet access so letters are the best way to communicate still. Write! I want to know what's going on. Also enjoy the running water and electricity as I don't have any.

Sending my love, Sommer

[blogged by Sulan]

Trip to Niamey

Hello all!

Well in case you don't know yet, I arrived in Niger safe and sound. We have been training for about 3 weeks which entails pretty much language and culture classes. I am learning Hausa and it is pretty challenging but nothing i can't handle. There is so much to get adjusted to but the sky and land are so vast....it seems like they both go on forever...it's like nothing I've seen in the States.

This past weekend we got to go into Niamey and now we can start trekking here on our own which is nice. Sometimes it feels like they are a little overprotective of us at the training site so it's nice to gain a little independence.

Hope all is well, and keep the letters coming. Internet is really touch and go here. Thank you to everyone who has written so far and had me in their thoughts, it means so much. I love and miss you all!! Peace!!!

Sommer

Hey everyone! I depart tomorrow for Niger but will not be able to contact anyone until September 25th and maybe even later than that. In the meantime, I will write letters and get a friend to post them to this site. Wish me luck!

Africa or bust!

I was up until the wee hours of the morning packing my bags. Thanks to my mom for helping me stuff everything into my pack. Needless to say, some things had to be sacrifced and mom will be sending them to me. How the hell do they expect me to fit a set of tubberware anyway??





Wishing all my friends were here to laugh at how ridiculous I look with the pack on about to tip over...

I have to leave for the airport in an hour and a half. Philly cheesesteaks here I come!

Departure

Hello all!

I leave tomorrow for Philadelphia, PA to start Orientation for the Peace Corps. I will be there from July 24, 2007 through July 26, 2007 and depart for Africa on the 26th. I will also be turning my cellphone off on the 24th, so the only way to communicate will be email, blog, letters, or hotel room number before I go. Here is my information on all of the above:

Email:

somsomneff@gmail.com

Blog:

www.sommerneff.blogspot.com

Address:

Sommer Neff, PCV
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 10537
Niamey, Niger

Hotel Information: (They will not give me a room number until I check in, so either ask for my name, or I will probably send another email once I know)
Holiday Inn- Philadelphia Historic District
Front Desk. 215.923.8660
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/phlim?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/hi/1/en/hotelsearchresults

Keep me in your thoughts, you are all in mine! Please keep in touch!

Bon Voyage,
Sommer

Countdown

18 days till i leave dallas for houston
26 days till i leave for orientation
28 days till i leave for niger

The countdown ensues! I'm trying to wrap up all of my loose ends over here. I think I am finally going to be legally cleared since I got the IRS off my back (nothing like a little italian mob backing to help me out when in political strife....I kid).

My solar charger came in the mail today! Solio is my new favorite thing now. If anyone wants it go to solio.com--- I actually bought mine off of ebay though for about 15 dollars cheaper. I'm charging it right now....so we'll see if it works as well as they advertise.

On the packing list they said to bring a belt because you are sure to lose weight. I am going to blow away in the desert wind...