Niger
In November 2006 I went to Niger with ‘Turtle Will’ a non for profit organization run by Irma Turtle. Two Doctors and two Nurses from Niger, seven International volunteers, Irma , a team of drivers and two cooks. We set up medical tents in five different locations, serving the Wodaabe and the Tuareg. These groups of people are nomadic or semi - nomadic and have little or no access to medical facilities. During our stay 1800 people were treated. We were fortunate enough to be invited to the Wodaabe Worso festival which only takes place annually. Families gather for five days to celebrate births and marriages and practice their dancing for the important annual Gerewold festival ,where men from different clans compete against each other. The competition is based on beauty, personality and dancing skills. Women judge the contestants and the prize is usually cattle and the most eligible bride. Many new relationships are formed at this festival.
Everywhere we went we were treated to singing and dancing . It was a magical trip.
