In our continued commitment to a sustainable program for the treatment of obstetric fistula in Niger, IOWD has supported the development of a nursing program. Our Director of Nursing, Njoki Ng'ang'a, collaborated with Pamela Hoyt, Global Nurse Coordinator at the Dreyfus Health Foundation in New York, to develop a training workshop that was to be conducted in Niamey. The Problem Solving for Better Health Nursing methodology engages nurses in resource poor countries to develop contextually appropriate solutions to the health challenges faced by the populations they serve. Nigerien nurses expressed enthusiastic response to the call to actively participate and influence health care delivery to their patients. We anticipate unprecedented growth of this new program, and measurable improvement in patient outcomes.

We are delighted to announce that Hackensack University Medical Centre, New Jersey, has committed to another year of funding two nurses, per annum, for participation in our program in Niger. Njoki Ng'ang'a, Yolande Aqui and Jacqueline Green are part of the Hackensack team.

In addition to the Nurses from Hackensack Univeristy Medical Centre, we have had the honor of having the following Nurses join IOWD's Program: Holly Rae Stone; Kathleen Scott; Suzy Arencibia; Louise Gilbert; Janet Dewan and Emily Osteguy, both Nurse anesthetists; and Surgical Techs, Julia Chandler and Kristine Long All of these nurses have reserved their "spots" for 2009.

Having experienced Operating Room Nurses, Nurse Anesthetists and Surgical techs working and teaching the Nigerien staff has been invaluable to our program!

Group photo of workshop participants	IOWD Nursing Director, Njoki, presents Mamoudou Semana, Chief of Nurses, a Certificate of Appreciation, as Dr. Abdoulaye looks on.