Destination: Niamey, Niger
In this section you will find more specific information from Brad, Sally, Randy and Susan about the place you will be traveling to, as of September 2008.
History of Town
Very little is known about the founding of Niamey, except that it was originally an agricultural village of Zarma, Maouri and Fulani peoples. In 1896 the area was incorporated into French West Africa. In 1902 the village became a French fort and later the capital of Niger colony in 1926. Today Niamey is Niger's largest city and its administrative and economic center. It is located on the Niger River and at the crossroads of the country's two main highways.
Population / People Groups
Following WWII, the population gradually increased, from about 3,000 in 1930 to a current international population of approximately 1 million. Some of each of Niger’s 35 distinct people groups can be found in Niamey, along with immigrants and refugees from many other West African countries, but it is largely Zarma, Hausa, and Westerners.
Church Status
Niamey has become the hub of most non-governmental organizations, including mission agencies. There are several denominations working in evangelical and human needs capacities in the capital city and its surrounding villages, both in French and in local dialects. Because Niamey is at the extreme southern end of where the Songhai people are located, the IMB Songhai Team is focusing its efforts up river.
Housing for Guests / Cost Estimates
Southern Baptist Guesthouse
Your daily costs have been based on the places where your specific group will stay. This amount will differ depending on your team’s traveling schedule and the number of people in your group. While in Niamey, you will probably be staying in the Southern Baptist Guesthouse. Deanna coordinates all reservations. Your Songhai Team Host will make these reservations for you as soon as we get a copy of your flight schedule.
Each room will sleep one to four people; each room either has its own bathroom (flushing toilets) or shares with one another room. There are shared kitchen facilities for each wing with running water (for the most part unless they are repairing lines) and a water filter. Air conditioners (per hour at personal expense) and ceiling fans are in each bedroom. There is hot running water in the showers. Linens and toilet paper are provided. The guesthouse is located on the same land as our business office. There is a tennis/ basketball court, “walking track”, washing machines, clothes line, iron and ironing board.
Because this facility is located in the capital city, and most of our work is in out-lying villages, travel time will be an unavoidable part of your activities of daily living here.
Please select someone from your team to be the kitchen coordinator. This person will make sure the kitchen is clean each time you leave the guesthouse. The actual daily responsibilities can be delegated and shared among the group members.
Guesthouse Guidelines
1. For the courtesy of others, please be prompt in cleaning up after yourselves and your children in all shared living areas, including the kitchen. Maid service is not available. If house help needs to clean up after you, the fee is 5000 CFA per day. House help will wash towels, linens and sweep floors beginning at 8:00 AM daily.
2. For the courtesy of others, please be quiet during rest time (12:00 noon — until 3:00 PM) and sleep time (10:00 PM — 8:00 AM)
3. Please supervise your children at all times. Do not allow them to play in unused rooms or on the furniture. Children are not to play unattended on the playground.
4. Please confine eating and drinking to the kitchen and dining areas.
5. Please do not rearrange furniture in the guesthouse or remove anything from it.
6. If plastic mattress protectors are needed, please ask house keeping.
7. Please… No smoking. No alcohol. No pets.
8. Turn off fans, air conditioners and lights when you leave the guesthouse.
9. For security reasons please lock your room and all exterior doors when you leave the guesthouse. No visitors should be left unattended inside or outside.
10. You are responsible for lost keys (10,000 CFA per set) and/or damage to the facility or items in the facility during your stay. Please notify management prior to checkout.
11. Parking is available in front of the guesthouse. Please do not block the road or other guest vehicles.
12. When you checkout, please leave your room door (ONLY) unlocked so that housekeeping can clean your room.
13. Upon departure please clean out leftovers from the refrigerator and freezer.
14. Please pay your bill in the office (Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) or make arrangements before your departure.
Costs
Over night: 7,500 CFA per person
Late checkout: (12-2 PM): 5,000 CFA
Checkout after 2 PM equals an additional night's stay
Air Conditioning: by meter or 500 CFA per hour
Loads of Laundry: 500 CFA per load
Laundry soap: 100 CFA per bag
Airport run: 2,500 CFA per run per vehicle, if applicable
Assorted food items and beverages are available for purchase
Phone Calls
All outgoing phone calls are made using a pre-paid calling card purchased in country.
There are phone lines and wireless Internet connections in the guesthouse that work on occasion; your family is welcome to call in the evenings. There is a five hour difference between Niamey and the US Eastern Time Zone (Atlanta), six for the Central Time Zone (Dallas), during the summer. Niamey is UT +1.
Big side phone number (T wing): (227) 20-72-56-33
Little side phone number (south wing): (227) 20-72-56-34
Specifics Unique to Your Stay
Airport
If coming to Niamey, you will be given a white card on the airplane before you land at the Diori Hamani International Airport. This will need to be filled out and handed, with your passport, to the first checkpoint policeman in uniform. For this card, you are a tourist staying at the Mission Baptiste Méridionale, 857 Rue des Ambassades, Niamey, phone (227) 20-72-20-26. Should you need 
further information, the office and guesthouse are located just after the American Embassy, directly in front of the Algerian Embassy. You usually need to show your boarding pass as you de-plane.
You will probably be met by a member of the Songhai Team or a Nigerien man holding a sign with your name written on it to help you after you have passed through the official checkpoints. Luggage carrier Number 10 (presently in a brown coat) will help you with your bags, if he is available. A member of the Songhai Team will meet you as you pass through the doors into the non-secure area just after baggage claim and customs.
Transportation
Depending on the size of your group and the availability of Mission vehicles, it might be necessary to rent transportation for stay. Your Songhai Team Host will advise you of the details and it will be included in your budget.
In town, taxis are available. They do not run on a meter and the drivers will not speak English. Please ask your Songhai Team Host for advice before you venture out.
Money
Your Songhai Team Host and the Niamey Business Facilitator will work together to make sure your financial needs are met.
Currently all volunteer team are required to set up an account with the IMB no less than a month before coming to the field. Contact Tim to do this and he will give you the details.
Caution: “The Visa” is not a credit card in Niger. There are no ATM machines.
Niamey Contact Information
Office Phone: (227) 20-72-20-26
Office and Guesthouse Physical Address:
Mission Baptiste Méridionale
857 Rue des Ambassades
Niamey
The office and guesthouse are located just after the American Embassy, directly in front of the Algerian Embassy.
Brad and Sally's home phone: 227-20-72-40-38
Randy and Susan's home phone: 227-37-00-48