How Dry is it????

One of our African friends informed us today that it has been 8 months since the last rain in Galmi. That means that it hasn't rained since the 9th of September!!!! The rains must have stopped a bit early last year. We don't really expect the rains to begin for at least another month, maybe more. They will usually start at the middle to the end of June and then usually they will continue until the end of September, or early October. Alan and I discussed this length of time and felt that our home countries/state had never seen a length of drought this long. We get worried in Michigan if it is longer than a month without "measurable rain" and Alan recalled the drought of '77 in England, but was nearly certain that it didn't last 8 months. The shocking factor is that this happens every year in Niger, and then sometimes the rainy season isn't good. With 99% of the population being subsistence farmers, it is no wonder that malnutrition is so common, and so devastating. When our children are compared to the average african child of the same age, they out weigh them by a drastic amount, and often tower over the other child. Samuel is often thought to be 5 because of his size. I'm often struck by the tiny children that are walking around. They are often the size of a 5-6 month old back in the western world.

Temperatures are reaching the 120 degree range these days, and the humidity is climbing with the temperatures. The africans have been hoping for rain soon, as the humidity often will indicate the start of rains, but it is unlikely to be more than a sprinkling until much later. There is also a phenomenon that occurs here where you can hear the rain on the roof of the house, but never see it hit the ground. Or you can be walking, and have it hitting your shoulders and head, yet your feet remain dry. The rain never makes it to the hot ground, but evaporates...