The New Year started off with our 11th mission to Niger. Returning again were Dr. Charles Ascher-Walsh, Dr. Julianne Newcomer and Dr. Alf Bent. Joining our team as new members were Dr. Joan Blomquist, Dr. Michelle Germain, Dr. Mary Pat Fitzgerald, Dr.Linda Fan and Nurse Njoki Ng'ang'a. Our group also included IOWD Board Member, Ambassador Barbro Kirkpatrick, Deborah Lindholm, Executive Director of Foundation for Women, Dr. Anders Siem, Executive Director of Health and Development International, Irene DeWatteville of the Seth Sprague Foundation and Michelle Walter and Camilla Walter...

One hundred and two women were examined during this mission; forty-four surgeries were performed. Many of those examined were former patients returning for follow-up exams. Others were asked to return in April for surgery, as time did not allow for more operations.

Camilla, Dr. Fitzpatrick, Hamadou, Dr. Germain and Nurse Ng'ang'a. In the rear, from the left: Ira Margolies, Dr. Siem, Ms. Lindholm, Dr. Ascher Walsh, Ambassador Kirkpatrick, Ms. DeWatteville, Barbara Margolies, Dr. Fan, Dr. New comer, Dr. Bent and Dr. Blomquist.

Our Peace Corp Volunteer, Kim Riley, continues to be an incredibly important component of our program. When our team is not present in Niger, Kim is representing IOWD when dealing with local and international organizations in Niger. She also makes sure that a radio announcement is sent out, informing the women in villages beyond Niamey, that the American team is arriving to help them. When the women come to the Hospital, Kim interviews all of them, recording pertinent social and medical information. This has proved to be a tremendous benefit for IOWD and the National Hospital - as to keeping up-dated medical records on the patients. Kim is also teaching Mariama, Saadatou and Haoua basic language skills, and overseeing their progress in learning nursing aide skills. Kim translates for our doctors in the Operating Rooms; and she goes on twice-a-day "Rounds" with the doctors when they visit their patients in the Wards. Indeed, Kim has so many responsibilities in seeing that our program moves along with the least amount of "hitches" - it would take pages to list all that she does for IOWD!!

A quote from Njoki Ng'ang'a, Registered Nurse:

"I cannot express how thankful I am to you and IOWD for the valuable opportunity to travel with you to Niger. I have been forever changed, not only by the work that I got to do there, but also by interacting with the other team members and the Nigerien people. My outlook on life and the world has been richly enhanced. I have learnt things about myself that I did not know and I have grown in ways I never imagined I could. I have found my purpose.

Thank you again for having me on your team and for the invitation to return. I look forward to working with you towards giving the Women of the Courtyard a face and a voice."

Peacecorps volunteer Kim.

Click to Read Next Mission.

Click to read: • April 2007 Mission. • February 2007 Mission. • December 2006 Mission. • September 2006 Mission. • April 2006 Mission. • January 2006 Mission. • September 2005 Mission. • April 2005 Mission. • February 2005 Mission. • December 2004 Mission. • September 2004 Mission. • June 2004 Mission. • April 2004 Mission. • January 2004 Mission. • December 2003 Mission.