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]