Hello dear friends,
We want to thank you for all the concern you’ve shown for us here on the ground in Niger. I’ve been in Niger since mid-December, in the regions of Agadez and Tillaberi. Events in Mali worry us all. We hear terrible stories of people terrorized by Islamist militants and of children kidnapped into the AQIM forces. We hope this long-awaited military will help, and worry about the Malians caught in the middle. Tens of thousands more refugees are expected here in the coming weeks.
As a Westerner, I’ve been advised by the U.S. Embassy not to travel right now, but our staff is hard at work in the field installing gardens, making new products with our artisan cooperatives, and training mentors.
We’re grateful for your thoughts and good wishes.
All the best,
Bess
