Andrew Regenstreich

Political Science, Class of 2008

The shacks and make-shift stores that we rode past were nothing compared to the worst projects I had seen in various towns throughout New Jersey. It wasn’t an intimidating form of poverty, though. In Newark or Camden you can almost feel the hatred and anger, the desperation, and rage. In Niamey, it was the opposite. You could almost smell the hope, the dignity, and the pride. You just knew that in these buildings resided a group of people that didn’t feel sorry for themselves. They woke up every day wish a mission and nothing would stop them from maximizing each waking day.

To me this whole trip can be summed up the night we sat with our guides around the campfire and gave each other names. It was still early in the trip and the ice hadn’t been completely shattered, as would later happen. Between our broken Hausa, French, and Tamashek and their broken English, until that point communication had been hard. Then, after some attempts at a group game, magic struck. The guides started pointing at us and yelling out Tamashek names. Next it was our turn, and as a group we determined which of our Tuareg guides constituted a Nick, Eric, Steve and so on. Everyone went to bed with a huge smile on his face, and the die was cast for an amazing two weeks. I will forever remember the dignity, humility, and unpretentiousness of the Nigérien people. It has filled me with a sense of perspective that few of my fellow students can claim.