August 2000
FON Joins UNICEF & Others in NIDs Campaign to Eradicate Polio in Niger
Discussions last month between Friends of Niger and representatives of UNICEF Niger - and subsequently between Isselmou Boukhary of UNICEF Niger and Niger's Ministry of Health - have resulted in agreement regarding a specific role for FON in Phases III and IV of Niger's National Immunization Days (NID) campaign.
FON has being asked to assist with funding related to campaign activities which focus on reaching Niger's highly mobile nomadic population during their annual gatherings primarily in the north of Niger. Phases III and IV of the campaign will take place in October and November of this year.
The NID campaign has as its goal, the eradication of polio in Niger before the end of the year 2000. by vaccinating all children 0-5 years of age. Phases I and II took place in March and June of this year. Indications from Niger are that 100% of the polio vaccine target populations were reached and that these phases were also highly successful in terms of their secondary goal of distributing vitamin A to breastfeeding women.
Those involved in the NID effort include the Government of Niger, The Association of Traditional Chiefs of Niger (ACTN), UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International and Helen Keller International (HKI). The participation of Friends of Niger is via UNICEF.
According to Julie Burke of UNICEF Niger, "We feel that Friends of Niger could be of vital importance to the success of the National Immunization Day campaign and are looking forward to further collaboration on this matter."
FON Launches Appeal for Donations
With this announcement, Friends of Niger is launching an appeal for donations to the NID campaign against polio. Contributions should be made payable to Friends of Niger and sent to:
NID
Polio
c/o Friends of Niger
P.O. Box 33164
Washington, D.C.
20033-0164
The Camel Express Receives Newsletter Awards at National Peace Corps Association Annual Meeting
When Friends of Niger President Jim Schneider attended the Awards Dinner at the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) Annual General Meeting last month, he was looking forward to a pleasant evening and received a pleasant surprise as well.
The Camel Express, newsletter of the Friends of Niger and edited by Schneider, was recognized by NPCA with the first place award for Newsletter Design. FON also tied the Friends of Burkina Faso (FOBF) for the second place award for Editorial Content. FOBK President Bob Osborne and newsletter editor Denny Fitzpatrick were also in attendance at the meetings which took place at Shawnee-on-the-Lake, Pennsylvania.
Haoua Diatta Launches New Book at Reception in Washington
Haoua Diatta launched her new book - Shadow of Africa: Life of an African Ambassador's Wife - at a reception/book signing on August 27 in Washington, D.C. The book is described as a "first hand glimpse into contemporary African culture and a rich reservoir of stories and images about African folklore and history."
Madame Diatta is the spouse of Joseph Diatta, Niger's Ambassador to the United States.
The Graduate School Guide Now Available through Returned Volunteer Services
The Peace Corps recently announced the release of its publication, The Graduate School Guide. Formerly entitled the Continuing Education Guide, the work "highlights the latest education resources available for returned Peace Corps Volunteers around the world." The publication includes information regarding programs the offer special consideration to RPCVs and includes the latest information on the Fellows/USA Program and other educational opportunities and services.
RPCVs interested in obtaining a copy of the guide should send their request on a 3x5 or larger card ( including name, U.S. address, and COS date) to: The Peace Corps, 1111 20th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20526.