Seeking the Songhai - Destination: Ayorou

Here, There, and Yonder
Destination: Ayorou

In this section you will find more specific information from Mark and Parker about the place you will be traveling to, as of November 2007.

History of Town

Ayorou is an ancient village, one of the first villages in what is now Niger.
The first inhabitants were Songhai people who came from Timbuktu to Gao and eventually settled in Ayorou. These people were fishermen and farmers.

The first chief is said to have been a woman named Hamidu Lima, who chose to give her leadership position to her husband.

The village proper is divided into nine neighborhoods; four of these are predominately Songhai.

Including the surrounding islands and villages, there are more than 30 mosques. While everyone claims to be Muslim, animistic practices are VERY strong here.

Population / People Groups

Ayorou and its surrounding area has somewhere between 26,000 and 30,000 people. Filgorne, Bebaton, Inates, Garey, and Duusu are the surrounding villages that are considered part of Ayorou. There are Songhai and Zerma (60%), Hausa (20%), Fulani (10%), Tuareg / Bella (10%), and Arab (less than 1%) peoples.

Church Status

There have never been Christians who lived in Ayorou. There was a New Apostolic church that was started here but the missionaries who began it came in from Niamey. Southern Baptist work began in the village in January 2001 with a prayer walk. To date there is one baptized believer.

Housing for Guests / Cost Estimate

Housing will be based in Niamey and Ayorou. You will most likely stay 2 nights in Niamey for your arrival & departure days. The cost for Niamey housing is determined by the Southern Baptist Guesthouse ($15 / night).

The cost for Ayorou housing ($10/night) is calculated to cover the costs of electricity, 8 hours of generator per day, water & other supplies needed for your stay. We will run the generator from 8 AM - 4 PM & the electricity will run from 4 PM - midnight. If your team chooses, you may pay an additional expense to run the generator while you sleep.

Depending on the month of your visit, you may sleep inside our home or outside in our walled yard. We have one guest room that can sleep three people (does not include linens). There is “running water” but with very limited water pressure and the temperature varies according to the temperature outside. You also have the option to try a bucket shower outside.

Specifics Unique to Your Stay

Meals

Meals will be prepared by the Phillips unless otherwise indicated. Breakfast & lunches are optional if you desire to bring those from the States. There will be the possibility of dining with an African family during your stay in Ayorou.

Connecting home

If it is a dire necessity to talk with your friends or families, they may call our cell phones. If it is an emergency, you may call home for a charge of $2 - $5 per minute.

Assignments

Complete all lessons & activities in “Impact Your World: Basic Training for Mission Teams.” The information and advice offered in this Bible Study will be an invaluable part of your trip. The things we would tell you face to face, if we could, have already been said in the book, if not more. Please make sure to look through the Tool Box at the end of the study for other helpful suggestions on preparing for your trip. If you have any questions, please have your Team Leader email them to us.

Checklist

(in addition to the listing of “ what to bring” in the Volunteer Team Preparation document)

Head covering: bandana or scarf for women, hat for men
Linens (towels, sheets, pillows). If traveling November – February, you may want to bring a heavier blanket. If traveling March – October, you will only need a sheet or maybe not even that.
Air mattress
Battery-powered fan (highly suggested for hot season)
Mosquito net (if sleeping outside)

Ayorou Contact Information