I’m writing to you from the terrace of a hotel in Agadez. Yesterday was our first day off in a month (our first shower, too). In front of me I see the red mud houses and buildings of Agadez. Most people are walking around in African fabrics and traditional clothing. Many people are carrying things on their heads: vegetables, bottles, food. Four donkeys just walked by loaded down with wood. The sounds I hear are: roosters crowing, finches chirping, the scratching of feet against the dirt street and an occasional motorcycle putting by.

--- 11/4/97, Gabrielle Lyon to Mr. Salk’s 1^st grade, Fiske School

How do you talk to people over there?

The official language of Niger is French and most of the time we can communicate in French. A number of the team either speaks French or is trying to learn it. Different ethnic groups have their own languages as well: We try to learn how to say some things in the native languages also. Most of us can say "Hello," Thank you," and "My name is" in at least one of the other languages.

--- 11/6/97, Gabrielle Lyon to Ms. Kenner’s 6^th grade, Triumphant School