President Tandja invited IOWD's team to his office to give his personal thanks for their help to Niger. Although many doctors were in the operating room and could not attend this very special meeting, ten IOWD members were able to meet the President himself! President Tandja was very gracious and extremely generous in his remarks to us. It was a very proud time for the members of the IOWD team!!!

Television cameras filmed the event ... and Executive Director Barbara Margolies was given the opportunity to offer her thanks to the President ... and to talk about the Fistula Program. To our great surprise, this was televised throughout all of West Africa!

President Tandja is in the white robes; Barbara Margolies standing to the President's left. IOWD memebers are in blue scrubs in the background.

To add to the show of support on behalf of the Nigerien Government, Minister of Health, Mahamane Kabaou, and one of the most important traditional Chiefs in Niger, the Emir of Gobir Province, Abdou Bala Marafa, honored the IOWD team at a lovely dinner at the Gaweye Hotel.

IOWD teams are very grateful for the incredible support shown to us by the Government of Niger. Together, we will continue to build our program for the benefit of Nigerien women.

Barbara A. Margolies and Dr. Chuck Ascher-Walsh standing in back of the Emir and the Minister of Health.	Micheline and Bruce Crawford with Emir of Gobir Province.