Through the dedicated work of Yagana Tandja, a good friend and supporter of IOWD's, the Government of Niger has expanded their support of the fistula women by assisting them in coming to the National Hospital for medical attention by IOWD doctors and Dr. Abdoulaye.

Yagana worked with Oumarou Mamadou, Director de Cabinet Adjoint and Officer de L'Order de Merite. Mr. Oumarou contacted officials in Maradi, Diffa, Tillaberi and Dosso and the process was set in motion. Incredibly, women began arriving at the Hospital in large numbers. Our doctors and nurses were amazed when they first visited the Courtyard ... filled everywhere with fistula women. Some came alone; others with their mothers or sisters. You could barely walk there were so many girls waiting for help.

It is essential for all to know that it was Nigeriens themselves who have instituted this program of assistance. It is people like Yagana Tandja and Oumarou Mamadou and all those who followed through to make this program work ... these are the people who must be congratulated and admired for their perseverance and dedication to the women of Niger.

There were perhaps 200 hundred women in the Courtyard for our February trip..and 200 more in April when we arrived again in Niamey. We know that there will be hundreds of fistula women waiting for us on every trip we make to Niger in the future. There are hundreds of thousands to be brought in for help and even more to educate about prevention. Now, with Ms. Tandja and Mr. Oumarou at our side, we will be able to reach more women than we ever thought possible! We know, that together, we will make a difference in the health and dignity for so many Nigerien women.

Yagana Tandja; Siobhan Darcy-Bewick; Dr. Sabou, Director of the National Hospital; and Barbara A. Margolies, Executive Director IOWD...meeting to discuss the active role the Nigerien Government has taken in bringing women to the Hospital.	Women selling soap and cigarettes as they wait in the Courtyard
Women waiting in the Courtyard	More women in the Courtyard