This trip was made with a group of eleven people: 8 volunteers, (seven of whom were rotarians) and 3 film crew.
Front row: Bahari, Aboli, Aghali bob, Sidi, Alhassane, Hasso, Aghali 2
Back row: Linda Lamb, Rene Briggs, Ned Clark, Linda Taylor, Larry Beckett, Benedicte Schoyen, Leslie Clark, Louine Skankey, Bob Davis, Bob Skankey, Dana Huffman
You have to be pretty tough to volunteer in a country where 16 armed guards must accompany you everywhere.
And those few dirt roads may be marked with white rocks–which is not a decoration, but indicates the mines have been removed…
Nothing was easy this trip, but no one ever complained, everyone helped out, volunteered, helped each other…
Seven of the group were rotarians who were helping out and checking out a series of projects which have been funded by Rotary International.
This was one of the most challenging, but most successful of the many trips I have made in my 20 years of travel to Niger.
We all worked hard and laughed hard. Here is our Halloween celebration in the dunes. We carved watermelons instead of pumpkins.
Thank you all for your great energy and spirit. The nomads will remember you.
EXTRAORDINARY! Absolutely ! Hardworking,fun,no whiners,smart,interesting,gutsy,
Caring hearts and wow could we laugh ! We even spoke Chinese 🙂
Linda Lamb
I will never forget my travels with Leslie to catch up with the Wodaabe for their annual “Courting Convention”, as I call it…
Although 12 years have passed since my visit and we only needed 1 soldier, the beauty of the country and the
lovely people, still continuing their nomadic life, was a real education for me. I have nothing but awe for Leslie who has accomplished so much to better the life of this impoverished population. Not only that, her evocative paintings are an aesthetic contribution to the appreciation of this special place. Her work and dedication have made a huge difference…..
I think this ROTARIAN Picture should be published internationally! What a great photo of all you Givers. And Give you did on this trip. You gave of your heart in all the hard work…True Rotarians at your core. Your stance says it all…but wait Ned Clark is a Rotarian from Santa Paula-paging Ned-
I think he was doing sound for the filmmaker or singing for the crowds!
Linda