Niger's President Seeking 3rd Term

Hello from the capital!

There is a strange feeling in the air here in Niamey due to recent political developments in this still new republic. President Tandja, who was elected in 1999, and in December would have completed the two 5 yr. terms allowed of any one president, has made some rather surprising decisions of late. In the last six months there has been much rumor and speculation about him potentially seeking a third term, but the hope was that the elections scheduled for December would go forward as planned, and a new president would be democratically elected here in Niger.

This past Tuesday, May 26th, after being told that the court and assembly would most likely vote in opposition to an amendment to the constitution enabling the president to remain in power for an additional three years, Tandja disbanded parliament. This is technically lawful, and means that there must be an election held for new parliament seats within 90 days. It is assumed Tandja's hope would be that the new elected officials would then be in his favor of remaining in power.

Sufficed to say, there is mass opposition to these recent happenings. Tandja made an address two nights ago to the people informing them that in their best interest he would be going through with the referendum to change the constitution, and that he would remain their president for the next three years.

Tandja is 70 years old. He claims he wants to stay president in order to fulfill certain projects he has initiated for the best interest of the country's economy such as a second bridge in Niamey, the dam project, and certain contracts with other countries and companies regarding the uranium in Niger's northern region.

This could mean any number of things for Niger, and any number of things for Peace Corps Niger. There are demonstrations scheduled for the next 10 days, and all PCV's have been asked to avoid the capitals and remain in their villages. I am getting on a bus to go home this afternoon.

It is hard to stay politically neutral, as is my job, in the midst of all this. I love hearing my villagers talking politics, but I only listen and try not to give my opinion. I'll be in touch with updates, but you can also read about it in the news. Here's a link to a BBC article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8069650.stm

I have to run, but I miss you all and I'll talk to you soon! xoxo

One Year Older and Korean Postcards

So I turned 23 in Niger. It's strange, getting older in a foreign country. My birthday brought rain with it, and so the last few days have been much cooler. Clouds have given us some slight shield from the sun, and my friend Will said they have begun planting in his village. It's only May, and hardly the beginning. Planting usually begins in June or July--this could turn out to be quite the rainy season.

My friend Kirsten is on a Fulbright in Korea teaching English to high schoolers right now. On Thursday I went to the Peace Corps Bureau in Niamey to check for any packages before my birthday. There was one incredibly beat up box with bubble wrap coming out of its ripped corners, and inside was a large plastic binder with at least a hundred laminated pages inside. The note said, "Annette, in response to your request for snail mail I asked my students to do the work. Why would you want one, lengthy, grammatically correct letter from me? Better still is over 500 personalized postcards from EFL students!! I gave them some very simplified information about Niger and this is what they came up with! A student said it best. "You mind is so beautiful and decent." And, "Annette, have a strength!" With love, Kirsten.

Sure enough, there are more than 500 postcards inside responding to a power-point presentation Kirsten gave her students on the work I'm doing here. Due to the students' English level, they are pretty hilarious. Here are some of my favorites:

"To: Annette

Hello. Annette! Nice to meet you :)
I heard about you much time
from Kirsten. Hmmm...I want to
do volunteering like you someday.
I respect you because you help
poor child and person although
it is very hard...
I want to meet you in the future.
So, please tell me about volunteer then
I look forward to help person
with you <3
Hmm. Are you okay in hot weather?
I hate hot day!!
So ~ Take care of yourself and be happy!
I will always victory for you!! Thank you for reading!"

"Dear Annette.
Hello...
You...Beautiful heart.
You...God Bless you ~ ...
Love. Love. Love.
You...I love you <3 <3"

"Hello Annette!
My name is jin-a fr
I heard your story from Kristen
I'm glad to hear your story
At first I'm not understand
your behavior
Because NIGER is so far...
If I you. I'm not.
but your behavior is nice
your will become a such as
mother theresa.
And your will have
meet handsome, and kind
and have much money guy
like obama :)"

"Hello Annette <3
Glad to meet you! I'm So-young.
I'm high school student in Mokpo, Korea.
I'm so happy, because I miss you.
I'm a lucky girl :)
Are you Happy? If you say 'I'm
not happy,' I'm so sad.
The world is beautiful, wonderful and
funny.
Anyway ~ Have a nice day.
Bye, My new friend, Annette."

"To, Annette!
Hi. Annette.
Nice to meet you :)
Do you like ice-cream?
I like ice-cream very much.
I have a lot of time."

"Hi, Annette!
Nice to meet you
My name is Lee Ji Young
What is a niger famous
food? You know what?
I hope visit a niger
what do you in niger?
Do you have a fun?
What a funny and
surprisely culture
in niger?
I hope funny of your trip!
bye--"

There are many many more. And some great pictures, too. This has inspired me to start my pen-pal correspondence with students in the U.S. So thank you Kirsten, and thank you to your students!

These are a couple pictures of my new kitten, Levin, and his triumph over a chariot spider. He has earned his keep.