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