Niamey News

     It is Friday morning and I am eager to get the kids to school so that I can go to the Tuareg soapstone carvers and continue my apprenticeship.  I began my apprenticeship when I went to their corner to buy candlestick holders.  I was intrigued by their work.  After greeting them I asked if they would mind if I came to learn from them, they thought it would be wonderful; and so my first Friday started by making a simple egg.  I have moved on to making chickens, ducks, camels, elephants, donkeys, and decorating boxes with intricate carvings.

     These artisans work so hard.  They arive each morning at 8 am and often do not leave until 6pm.  They do not have many customers who come.  Sometimes while I am there Friday morning no one will come at all.  I began to wonder if there wasn't a way to get them involved in some form of free trade.  Sofo is the representative of the twenty plus artisans who work at this particular site.  I sit with him and Acham, we talk about the news of Niamey, problems of life,  our differences during the month of Ramadan, and the harshness of life.  Still they are always giving; each morning when I arrive we have a pot of Tuareg tea or two or three with peanuts.  Tuareg tea is very strong and by mornings end I feel as if I've drunk 10 cups of coffee.

     While working with Sofo I began to think about the internet and its possibilities.  At first I thought it would be great if they could create a site where they could sell their goods direct but the intricacies of law and money seems beyond what they would be able to do on their own with limited literacy.  Then I thought perhaps a Free Trade organization would be interested in helping them. I have contacted a few, we will see what happens. If anyone has any ideas on how to further help these artisans get their products sold please contact us.

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