SMP Niger 2009

What you’ll be doing: *** 

There are two possible ministry sites for the Niger SMP team this year. The location of ministry will depend on the skills and interests of the team members.

Option 1: (French language ability required)

REMAR is a Spanish NGO that works with children. The REMAR Orphanage in Niamey, opened in 1997, cares for 54 children, ages infant to 14 years old. There is also a smaller orphanage that houses about a dozen teenagers, former street children aged 15 to 20. The females reside at the main orphanage and help with childcare, while the male residents live at the smaller center. The goal is to educate these young adults in sewing and carpentry so that they can make a living. 

At REMAR, SMP team members' activities might include:

• Teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, Bible
• Helping out with excursions like hiking, visiting the countryside
• Helping out with tasks such as preparing and serving food
• Planning and offering a Vacation Bible School (in French)
• Offering a sewing class
• Offering a carpentry class

Skill in sewing or carpentry would be helpful, particularly if the participants could train local partners to continue the work after their departure.

Option 2: (No French language ability required)

Working at the Sisters of Charity Center in Saga Gourou (Run by Mother Theresa's order). 

Team members would assist with a mother/infant feeding and nutrition program (distributing food, weighing, dispensing medication, etc.) and those with medical training might also have the opportunity to provide hands-on care for terminally ill patients (including people in the final stages of AIDS). Interest in learning more about global poverty and/or medical missions would be a plus.

How you’ll be equipped/prepared:   You will receive a two-day orientation to Niger and its culture that will include an introduction to customs, language, Islam in Niger, how to be a cross-cultural learner, preparation for facing abject poverty, and an introduction to the ministry of CRC-Niger. During the SMP experience you will have at least two nights a week to process and pray together with the Persenaire-Hogeterp family and Brenda Katerberg, CRC-Niger's CRWRC intern.  

(all SMP teams also attend a mandatory pre-field orientation in Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Where you’ll stay:  At the SIL Guest House, fully equipped with showers, fridge, stove, furniture and two bedrooms.  SIL is about 10 minutes from the Persenaire-Hogeterp's home.

Who you'll spend your summer with: 

· Your hosts on the field:  Henry and Ardell Persenaire-Hogeterp. You will also interact with local ministry leaders. Expect to work independently much of the time.
· Your teammates:  A team of two male or two female participants.

Tentative Cost:  $3750 USD/$4700 CAD

 ***PLEASE NOTE: a key missionary characteristic is flexibility, and you will definitely be developing yours! In other words, everything (and we do mean EVERYTHING) is subject to change.