April 2009... John Alexander has been appointed IOWD's Director of Music Programs. With this tremendous responsibility, John is moving full speed ahead with plans for his Nigerien students' music and language training. John's goal is to introduce hundreds of children to the guitar via this program with each child eventually becoming an instructor for others, spreading both music and English language skills.

Tankary Aboubacar, John's dedicated Nigerien university student assistant, was presented with a beautiful new guitar of his own! Needless to say, Tankary was overwhelmed with joy with this fabulous gift--his FIRST guitar. Those of you who play know how receiving your first instrument feels!

Working in 125 degree heat, John set up class each day at 2 o'clock for his CES Rive Droite (CESRD) High School students. The four students, Issafou Amadou, Kader MousaAbdoul and sisters Rachida and Karima Zakari, all members of CESRD's English Club, faithfully attended their guitar lessons, giving up their daily rest period during the hottest part of the afternoon.

This same group of students first worked with John during the IOWD's January 2009 mission to acquaint them with the guitar and learn their first song, Barbara Ann, in honor of IOWD Founder and Executive Director, Barbara Ann Margolies. During the time between the January and April 2009 missions, the children worked with Tankary on other American folk songs like Five Hundred Miles and some of Tankary's own compositions.

At the end of the April Mission, the guitar class presented a recital for the IOWD mission participants. Like proud and happy parents, they were thrilled as the children played and sang many songs, including their latest, The Big Rock Candy Mountain. Issoufou presented his own variation on Five Hundred Miles, a tip of his hat to John's efforts in working with the students and earning Issoufou a big bear-hug from John. There wasn't a dry eye in the house!

With the potential for so many budding guitar players, supplying instruments will be a continual challenge. The good people at the Martin Guitar Company in Nazareth, PA, have twice answered the call providing three guitars for the program. A few other guitars have been individually donated by John's friends--one even came from John's own physician! Please contact the IOWD for information on how you can help its effort to provide sturdy, playable instruments that can withstand the harsh environment in Niger.

Music Students with their "chord" boards. The boards were made by John, so that the students can practice at home.	Dr. Mark being serenaded by John's student. Rahila, on right, will be joining the next music class.
Students working hard on their guitars.	John's assistant Tankary singing an original song.
Music students preparing to begin their recital.

IOWD Expands Programs in Nigerien High School

IOWD has been working closely with the English Club at CES Rive Droite, one of the largest High Schools in the capital of Niamey. In cooperation with the students, IOWD is providing treated mosquito nets for the prevention of malaria. As of January 2009, 2,625 bed nets will have been donated to the students. The English Club members provide educational information about the prevention of malaria to the entire student body, and they keep a record of every student who has received a net. IOWD has also presented 20 garbage bins for collection of garbage on the school grounds. The President of the Parent's Association has asked the participating parents to offer instructions to the students in regard to depositing their papers, plastic bags or food into the bins. Keeping their surroundings clean is part of the program for malaria prevention!

American students have become involved in this malaria prevention program for their peers, by raising funds to purchase the treated mosquito bed nets. At the same time, the students here learn about Niger and the health problems that the Nigerien students are exposed to on an everyday basis. One American high school student, who has been to Niger twice, is Cynthia McKinney. In February, 2008, Cynthia returned again with her father, Dr. Tim McKinney, Board member of IOWD and a participating surgeon. This time, Cynthia brought her friend Tori, with her. Both girls helped out at the hospital, visited with the fistula patients in the courtyard...and gave out gifts that they had brought with them...to the sick children in the pediatric ward. Once again, Cynthia visited Rive Droite to present more mosquito nets to the students...nets that Cynthia had raised money to buy. IOWD was very proud of these two teenagers, Cynthia and Tori, for their sincere effort to help others who have so little.

To our great delight, a group of American Army Special Forces spent some time with us at Rive Droite. When a delivery of mosquito nets did not arrive from Ghana in time for our personal delivery, the men of the Special Forces took on the responsibility of receiving the nets and delivering them to Rive Droite. The Special Forces were so impressed with the students of the English Club, they made sure that an Army cargo plane that was to arrive in Niamey, also had some very special gifts for the children. Soccer balls, board games, basketball shirts and lots of other marvelous gifts were distributed by our Army friends. IOWD offers our personal thanks to Jim, Dave, Joel and Chris! We are honored by your friendship and your genorosity to the children of Rive Droite School.

It is with great pleasure that IOWD announces the beginning of a music program for the English Club at Rive Droite. John Alexander, a volunteer member of IOWD, traveled with our February 2008 team. Besides cataloging our entire supply room, John, who is a member of a Blue Grass Band in the States, surprised all of us by bringing guitars, donated by Martin Guitar Company. He spent some time at Rive Droite and sang songs to the students....who in turn treated John like a rock star! They insisted he return on another day...and through song, and sing-alongs, John taught the children English. On his second visit, John presented the English CLub with guitars....a "first" for the children!! The excitement was absolutely breathtaking! In January, and again in April 2009, John will be returning to Rive Droite to start a formal program of music with the English Club students. He has approval from the Minister of Education and from the new Director of Rive Droite. Of course, the children are in for a big surprise...they don't know that John is returning to work with them again!!! And who knows what surprises he will have in his suitcases???? Bravo to John Alexandra for his dedication and passion to share his music with the Nigerien students....and what a wonderful way to share a bit of America with the children!!!

As a result of IOWD's continued relationship with the always evolving English Club at Rive Droite, the students, who we are constantly encouraging to learn English, began to present skits in English. Nowadays, they are including songs and poetry....all in English...and younger students are involved. It is a great joy for us to see this active participation. The children know that we care....that we always come to see them every time we are in Niger. We love watching them perform and we are extremely proud of the students, and the student leaders, for all the work they put into these special events. We have seen English Club members become leaders among their peers; we have watched as they develop their organizational skills; we have seen a feeling of community...of belonging...within the English Club. In our own small way, IOWD has touched the lives of many young people at Rive Droite High School...and we are very proud of that! There is more to come.......

Army Special Forces delivers mosquito nets.	All the children were eager to help unload the nets!
American student Tori inthe Courtyard.	Cynthia McKinney with the women in the Courtyard.
John Alexander teaching a Nigerien student how to play the guitar	Students singing songs in English.