1 year ago...

One year ago...
I was full of nerves to come to Niger.
I was staring at my unpacked luggage thinking at in minute it will just pack itself
I was saying yet another teary good-bye
I was standing on the beach in Nags Head wondering if I would forget what the beach was like
I was eating as much American food as possible
I was saying "It's whatever I'm going to Africa" every other minute

Now I look back on those times with a sigh of relief. I am home at least for the time being in Niger. In the fastest year of my life I have seen more, experienced more and learned more that I feel I may ever be able to convey or explain. Yet so much has happened, I'm fluent in another language, albeit zarma but still an accomplishment none the less. I've lived in the hottest a poorest country for every one of it's seasons- and lived to tell the tail. I've pulled water from a well with some of the fiercest women in the world, I've helped nurse back babies on the brink of death, and I've dance to the high heavens in my village... the simple fact that "I" have a village to call my own is a HUGE difference from July 2006.

And so now I have been selected to be a permanent PCV for the newest batch of volunteers. Basically they feel I'd be a good example to the trainees. I'll answer their endless questions, some of which will be identical to mine- the ones that we all laughed that we even asked. They'll think I'm the "cool kid" because I'm a volunteer. The same way I looked up to our volunteers with their fluent Hausa or Zarma thinking I'll never be there. And so here I am, along with 9 other people from my training group. Heading back to Hamdy (our training site) and the airport for thier arrival. A lot of us keep talking about how we feel so old, experienced, a little jaded and certainly rough around the edges.

I'm personally taking the time to reflect. Some are filling out applications for grad schools, we're all talking about out post-PC plans and they are in legitimate reach, we're all signing up for the GRE most opting for the Feb 2 date (me included). I know the second year will fly by even faster as all of the volunteers currently boarding flights back home have reassured me. But part of me still feels so unaccomplished. Like I really haven't given anything back to my community. But there are plans. Plans to bring a grain grinder to my village, a recently approved grant to paint the world map in my school, and some project with the hospital.

Most exciting of all is Rachel Adams is coming visit in 11 days- Aug 1-10. I've been slightly busy with a patch of sickness and now with preparing for the next stage but her visit is just what I need right now. I can't afford vacation so why not bring the vacation to me! She's bringing a suitcase full of American goodies so I'm thrilled to say the least.

Well I'll be in and out if Niamey until the send of September with Rachel's visit and helping out with this stage. Also the 45th Anniversary of Peace Corps Niger is at the end of September and the director of Peace Corps is scheduled to come to my village. Slightly nerve racking.

All my best,
Sarahtou Donou-dibi