I made it back to Niger! I came back from a 4 week home leave back home in North Carolina.  It was such a blessing, I cannot tell you how good it was to be home with my family and see friends.  It’s been a week and two days now that I’ve been back in Niger, and feels as if I never left.  My first week back at work turned out to be quite busy.  I jumped right back into things and went to Bani Bangou for a three day bush trip this past Wed-Fri. It was a good trip- we are continuing to transition the work of the feeding centers over to the community health centers.  There are two levels of health facility that we work closely with: the CSI- regional health center, and the case de sante-local health center. According to the Nigerien ministry of health (MOH), community health centers are required to assume the activities of the feeding center as part of their normal activities.  Before, NGO’s such as SP have provided the work (measuring and weighing the kids, distributing the ration).  Now that work will be taken on at the level of the CSI and eventually at the level of the case de sante.  We have aides (community helpers) who we paid a small gratuity each month to help us with the distribution.

 

As of this year, to be consistent with the MOH, we no longer provide those incentives.  The trip this week was to go around to each of our villages and thank the local team for their work, and to explain that payment would be ending.  All the aides we spoke to voiced a commitment to continue the work for free for their community. This is a wonderful sign and will help strengthen these communities to be able to respond to the health needs of their community. Praise God for this transition! We are excited that this allows us to play more of a supervisory and empowering role and let the community take over responsibility of the distribution.

 

As for the child survival program, we have Tues, Wed and Thurs set aside for interviews to find 9 supervisors. Next week we’ll have final interviews, the next week, God willing, we will take a trip to the bush and try and find housing for each supervisor and their family.  Next, we’ll have training for maybe 2 weeks or so.  This is my first attempt to start up any program, so to say the least, this is a huge learning curve… trial and error and learning from others… There is a lot of unknowns and questions, but I think I’m coming to terms with truly believing the Lord will guide me. I’m claiming Psalm 37:5…“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.”

 

Update: While in Ouallam, we took a trip to the district hospital where we evacuated those two kids I told you about. Well I found out that Djamila, the little girl, didn’t make it.  It was so sad. We did all that we could. It just happens.  One good thing though, the other child we rescued, Abdoulaye Aziz, he is now recovered and back in his village with his family. Praise God for restoring health to this very sick child. 

I’m glad to be back.  It does feel different… I am glad to have a year of experience behind me. So much to learn…and to experience.  I’m glad you are on this journey with me! Thank you for all your kind words, prayers, encouragement.  The Lord has used that all to strengthen and sustain me as I am far away from my family.  He is so good to me; has given me a purpose and plan.  His love carries me. And I’m having the time of my life!

Much love and expectations for God to do amazing things in this New Year,

Jenn

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