News from Niger

Hello, this is Jamie's mom with an update, from Jamie's first letter home, (she does not have access to phone nor internet during her initial training).

The trip to Niger was long, beginning with a couple days in Philadelphia for orientation and the beginning of the immunization process, (immunizing continued in Niger and as of 1/18/06 there were still more to come). Jamie and 36 other volunteer trainees had an 8 hour flight to Paris and then onto Niamey, Niger.

She wrote: "I was in much disbelief that I was finally going to Africa, after years of talking about it....the 1st sight of the Sahara made it real for all of us."

The group was greeted by Peace Corps staff and volunteers who have already been in country for awhile. The group are at the Niger PC training center for about two months, where they will spend many hours in culture & "intense" language training. They are currently learning the languages of Zarma and Hausa, those along with French will be the basic means of communication.

All trainees have been placed with host families, who also work with them on language and customs, etc. Jamie wrote: "the kids are great and they are willing to humor us be repeating everthing about a million times before we actually get it."

She is quickly adjusting to not having all the comforts that she grew up with, but finding her way and comfort in becoming a part of this wonderful opportunity in her new home.

I will share more info about my daughter's journey, as it becomes available. Until next time.....