Where IS Niger, anyway?

Padded Envelope w/ Audio Tape and Digital Photo Card - August 5th, 2008

Hey, Guys!

I hope you get a kick out of this tape. I know my host kids and I had fun making it!

Here is my first photo memory card. I don't really remember what's on it, and my camera has no batteries as of this morning otherwise I would have written out descriptions. 

Please post all the photos on facebook. (You can also view these pictures on the following website: http://gallery.mac.com/docslack )

When I use the internet next I'll add captions. If you see any particularly good pictures will you print them off as 8.5x11?  I can use them to decorate my house when I get on post. (You can print them in Black and White if it's easier.) Can you also make prints at Walgreens of the pictures of me posing with people (so I can give copies to my host family).

Put any prints in ziplock bags before mailing in case of rain.

Thanks!

I love you

Jessica

AirMail Letter #3 - July 28, 2008

Dear Mom and Dad and everybody,

I'm currently in Kollo which is 30 kilometers from Niamey. I'm staying with another CYE (Community Youth Education) Peace Corps volunteer. She will finish her service just about the same time I finish my training and swear in as an official volunteer. I really want her post so I'll be trying to convince Tondi and Assalama (my CYE Coordinators), but I won't get my hopes up.

Her house is gorgeous. Luckily, most CYE Volunteers have electricity, running water, AND indoor plumbing! Her neighbor is an amazing Taureg man with a cool family which is also the appeal for me. I want that posting so bad, but they speak Zarma, and I'm being trained to speak Hausa. Like I said, I'm going to be dropping hints like mad. Staying with this Education volunteer has made me very optimistic.

You should know that I'm planning on getting a cat. She has one and I found out that I'm NOT allergic. Dogs are too hard to keep as pets here, but I need a pet (one that hunts mice will be especially nice!)

Mom, keep your intention on me getting this post. The water here is treated, and it's pretty close to Niamey in case I ever get sick and need to see the doctors at the Peace Corps clinic. (Plus there's a good vet in Niamey for my future cat!) I also like the Nigerien education counterpart that I would work with if I get this post, and I think we could work well together. There are American missionaries in the area, too.

I miss you guys, but I am loving it here.

Count your blessings every day that you have a flush toilet and a car to get around.

My first bush taxi trip will be tomorrow.

Write soon!

Love,

Jessica

(Jessica enclosed a list of "goodies" that she'd love to get in the mail from home)

O.K. guys, I know I keep asking for stuff, but it's only because I can't find it here (within my budget) AND they bring our mail to us until Swear-In (September 12th).

Some of this list is repetitive because I don't know what you've sent already. I'm on "Demystification Weekend" (we get to go and stay with a Peace Corps Volunteer that has been here for a year or longer to see what it's REALLY like) and my list has expanded. You can send me these things in a flat rate box from the post office (more bang for your buck). On top of the inside write my address on red paper. On all mail you can write "Republique du Niger" instead of just "Niger" so it's less likely to be sent to Nigeria by mistake! O.K. here goes my list:

2008-09 Calendars 

 Magazines

8.5x11 posters  

 Scotch Tape

AA and AAA Batteries 

 Crayons (in a ziplock bag)

Elastic hair ties 

 Eyeglass wipes

Colored pencils  

 small pencil sharpener

Chocolate or Peanut Butter Power Bars

Nature Valley Granola Bars

Small Packs of Oreos 

 Graham Crackers

Nilla Wafer Cookies 

 Goldfish Crackers

Children's songbooks 

 Blue Bic Pens

 Q-tips

 Pocket size French Dictionary

 Doritos

 Airmail Envelopes

 LEXAR 2GB chip for my digital camera

 Small speakers (for my iPod)

 Candy canes for Christmas

 Sudoku books

 Small packs of tissues

Update / Revision of my Mailing Address - I have a Cell Phone now

Hi, everybody!

We have been advised that some mail to Niger ends up going to NIGERIA by mistake, so please modify my mailing address to read: "Republique du Niger" instead of just "Niger". 

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that has sent a letter, card or package! You have NO IDEA how much getting mail boosts my morale!

I also now have a cell phone that I can receive call on. The number is: 011-227-96-349557     The least expensive way to call is to get an international ATT phone card from Target or Wal-Mart. It lets you call for about 50¢ a minute. Keep in mind that Niger is five hours ahead of Ohio - so if you call at 5:00 pm it will be 10:00 pm in Niger.

Thanks for all the support and good thoughts!

Love,

Jessica

Air Mail    -    Par Avion

    Jessica Slack PCV

    Corps de la Paix

    B.P. 10537

    Niamey,  Republique du Niger

AirMail Letter #2 - July 18, 2008

Mom and Dad,

Hey, I hope you guys write often. I got a card from Aunt Patricia today, and let me tell you it was such a morale boost. I remember being envious of the first person who got mail. Sorry if I repeat anything - I'm writing so many letters with similar information. I think I wrote to you from Philly and I know I sent a postcard.

I've been here now for one week. I only had one bad moment. They were telling us some worst case scenarios and it triggered doubt, fear and sadness. As soon as I got back to my host family, though, and saw their smiling faces I felt better. I try to keep in mind that they told us about us worst case situations before my trip to Luxembourg last summer, too. Nothing happened to me there because I was careful.

I have yet to poop in the pit latrine (at my host family's compound). I go at the training site. Actually I only use the pit latrine at all when it's daylight because night time = feeding frenzy for the cockroaches. I know they can't hurt me but they are fast and gross.

The more I'm here, the more I realize things that I need and forgot or didn't bring enough of: Air mail envelopes, AAA and AA batteries, iPod wall charger (I brought the USB cord but forgot the charger part), an iPod solar charger, a PWR converter (same as EURO), socks, pens (blue/black), colored pencils, playing cards and  UNO cards.

The more I've talked to current volunteers (there are four here at the training site) the more wary I am of sending my digital camera memory card through the mail. I haven't filled the smaller memory card yet.

Training is going well. The first official day of training, we had a language interview one-on-one with a language trainer.  

** (Two lizards just did a lap around my feet, so now my heart has resumed beating. I can't wait for those sort of things to not phase me anymore.)**

I keep trying to think positive. I'm on top of the game .... no diarrhea yet and no bad side effects of the pills or shots.

Anyway, I scored "Intermediate-low" on my french skills, so I have eight weeks to move up to intermediate-middle. I'm thinking there will be no problem. I may get to start learning Hausa in a few weeks. Most of my host family speaks French so I'm good.

Please write letters, notes, whatever! It's such a good feeling to see mail waiting for you. Everyone envies the ones who get letters.

I'll write as much and send letters out as often as possible, because I have more letters than stamps (and money!) I just got breakfast allowance for this week, and I'm never hungry in the mornings (plus the market is on the opposite side of the training site) so I'll use that money for stamps. Market days are Tuesdays.

I live so close to the training site ... maybe a two minute walk only because it's uphill. My neighbor in the compound (where my host family's house is) is the local tailor so a lot of people stop by. 

Well, I'm running out of things to write.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!      Missing you from Niger!

Jessica         aka  "Faîza"