It has been a tough weekend…..a few days ago two French tourists were kidnapped and murdered in the capital city of Niamey. They were taken from a busy restaurant by armed men, and the security there is heightened because of this and the upcoming elections.  This has really shaken the people there and only increases my resolve to help in any way we can. I wish I had some “witty, inspirational” resolution for 2011 — but in the past many years I have stopped making yearly resolutions. Instead, I try live my life by a few simple principles taught to me by mentors in my life…….principles that help me cope with life’s challenges. Read the rest of this entry »

It was in February 2010, that I visited a remote village in Gorouberi with the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Hamani, Ramatou, Alioun and others to see the well that Rotary had drilled.  When the Mayor informed me that the children in this village had never attended school, because there wasn’t one, I committed on the spot on behalf of P4K, to raise the money to build one. Hard to believe that less than a year later, through the generosity of two major donors from Canada this school is now up and ready for students! Read the rest of this entry »

Construction is set to begin on P4K’s third school. It will be built in Gorouberi, a remote village in Libore that until now has had no school or access to education for its children. In March we began with a Kindergarten and by January 2011, we hope to have the school up and ready. But we didn’t want to waste the first part of the year, so school has already begun under a tree!!!

This was truly the first relaxing day since we arrived in Niger. We had completed all that we had set out to do and it was time to reflect and spend time with friends on our final day. Ramatou and her mom, Fatimata, or Fati (the Mayor’s wife), joined us at the hotel for two hours. What lovely, elegant and intelligent women. We had a great time outside on the terrace and I wore the dress that Ramatou had designed and made for me last year…….. Next year she is thinking of making me one in turquoise.. She works at UNICEF, but she should definitely consider opening her own Boutique and designing clothing.

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