Sahelian Dreams...
are all that's left of the latest mission to Niger. Joel and I arrived in Niger, greeted by a flurry of activity in Niamey. After lots of meetings, greetings, and negotiations with old friends, artisans,and taxi drivers, we hopped on a bus to head home to Garin Maigari.
Ibrihim and Muntari have been taking care of the accounting in my absence, and I'm so thankful to call them partners and friends. Joel was introduced to my village, friends, and Chief, then was off to play soccer with the kids! He adjusted in no time at all...except maybe to the food and 120 degree heat and 90% humidity... ;)
It was amazing to have him there and see him interact with my villagers (none of which speak a word of English by the way). He found a way to communicate and they loved him, telling me over and over that "kin iya zabe", in short, "you know how to pick'em."
Joel passed the novice stage of deep sand moto driving after our first trip out, then we were on the road quite a bit. He got to encounter the Seeds of Hope women's groups working in existing project villages, and the new villages we added on this trip. The excitement, and subsequent yodelling screams of glee were deafening to his virgin ears, but he's now quite an expert at his own rendition. We gave our approval to many goats, enjoyed the babies, praised the savings and loan work the women are doing, and heard many thanks as we walked out of each and every meeting. Many of the groups now have over $200.00 in their savings box that is available to them if and when they need a loan. This availability of money alone has opened up a world of possibilities to these women.
The days were long and hot, but flew by, and soon we were on our way out. Yet again, the dreadful goodbyes. Joel's acquired love for my second home was perfect, but unfortunate in that the goodbyes were that much worse. There were more tears shed this time around than any other. Being that most tears were from women who don't even cry during childbirth, it was a hard goodbye.
There really is no place like home, even if it is a mud hut. But I am excited to introduce Azurfa, my fair trade business venture in cooperation with the silver artisans of Niger, to Minnesota and beyond. We are booking home parties this Fall to showcase the incredible silver work and design of the Taureg silversmiths in the form of rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. With the creation of this entity, and with 10% of all profits going to Seeds of Hope Africa, I hope our next journey will be coming up soon. I think Joel is game too...the Amoebic dysentary wasn't thaaaat bad. ;)
Thank you again for all of the donations, gifts, well wishes and support that so many have given to make Seeds of Hope Africa something real for the women and children of Niger. Keep the goats comin', I promise they will make their way to happy, dirty, and very hot home. (And in Niger, that's not a bad thing!) :)
Allah bada alheri,
Zoulleha
Ibrihim and Muntari have been taking care of the accounting in my absence, and I'm so thankful to call them partners and friends. Joel was introduced to my village, friends, and Chief, then was off to play soccer with the kids! He adjusted in no time at all...except maybe to the food and 120 degree heat and 90% humidity... ;)
It was amazing to have him there and see him interact with my villagers (none of which speak a word of English by the way). He found a way to communicate and they loved him, telling me over and over that "kin iya zabe", in short, "you know how to pick'em."
Joel passed the novice stage of deep sand moto driving after our first trip out, then we were on the road quite a bit. He got to encounter the Seeds of Hope women's groups working in existing project villages, and the new villages we added on this trip. The excitement, and subsequent yodelling screams of glee were deafening to his virgin ears, but he's now quite an expert at his own rendition. We gave our approval to many goats, enjoyed the babies, praised the savings and loan work the women are doing, and heard many thanks as we walked out of each and every meeting. Many of the groups now have over $200.00 in their savings box that is available to them if and when they need a loan. This availability of money alone has opened up a world of possibilities to these women.
The days were long and hot, but flew by, and soon we were on our way out. Yet again, the dreadful goodbyes. Joel's acquired love for my second home was perfect, but unfortunate in that the goodbyes were that much worse. There were more tears shed this time around than any other. Being that most tears were from women who don't even cry during childbirth, it was a hard goodbye.
There really is no place like home, even if it is a mud hut. But I am excited to introduce Azurfa, my fair trade business venture in cooperation with the silver artisans of Niger, to Minnesota and beyond. We are booking home parties this Fall to showcase the incredible silver work and design of the Taureg silversmiths in the form of rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. With the creation of this entity, and with 10% of all profits going to Seeds of Hope Africa, I hope our next journey will be coming up soon. I think Joel is game too...the Amoebic dysentary wasn't thaaaat bad. ;)
Thank you again for all of the donations, gifts, well wishes and support that so many have given to make Seeds of Hope Africa something real for the women and children of Niger. Keep the goats comin', I promise they will make their way to happy, dirty, and very hot home. (And in Niger, that's not a bad thing!) :)
Allah bada alheri,
Zoulleha
posted by Seeds of Hope Africa at
Monday, October 12, 2009
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