Information about my assignment!

At the risk of being a complete nerd, I created this blog so that I can have an easy way to stay in contact with people for when I am over in Niger. This might be a completely futile effort, seeing as that from the information that I have gotten about Niger, internet availability is few and far between. Anyway, at least I will be able to post when I get the chance, and I will have my address where you can write me at on here as well.

As of now, I'm scheduled to leave on July 25, 2006 for Philedelphia for pre-service orientation with 30-40 other volunteers, from all over the US, that will be in my training group in Niger. From what I hear, there will be get to know you exercises, more info about Peace Corps, and tons of fabulous shots!! I am realllly not looking forward to that, but what can you do?? I guess it sucks much less to take the shots than to end up with some creepy exotic African disease!

I believe on July 28th, we fly off to Niger! The capitol of Niger is Niamey. After much debate, haha, I have finally found the right way to actually pronounce Niger: nee-ZJAIR. When we all arrive, we will go to the PC training center in Hamdallaye where we will be training for 9 weeks, studying both French and a national language, get cross-cultural training, and recieve technical training for our particular assignments. We will also be living with a host family, and I am happy about that because that will be such a good way to practice the language and really get a feel for Nigerien culture. I loved loved loved the family I stayed with in Brussels when I studied abroad, although I think the cross-cultural differences are probably going to be a little more stark here, hehe.

I will most likely be an extension worker in Niger's maternal and child care services and my 4 main activities include:

1. Monitoring children's growth
2. Monitoring the health of pregnant women
3. Teaching sound nutritional and health practices to mothers and families
4. Rehabilitating malnourished children

Here is the info for my actual job description:

• conducting home visits to observe and evaluate household health practices
• demonstrating how to improve weaning foods by using locally available foods
• promoting production and consumption of vitaminA rich foods
• promoting oral rehydration techniques for malnourished kids
• educating the population in better sanitation, nutrition, and health
• teaching about transmission and prevention of AIDS
• and pretty much tons more

All right well thats a ton of info for anyone who cared to know ( :

I will hopefully write more when I know more -

KTP