{"id":14211,"date":"2015-09-18T18:05:55","date_gmt":"2015-09-18T18:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.elevatephotography.com\/blog\/?p=14211"},"modified":"2015-09-18T18:07:08","modified_gmt":"2015-09-18T18:07:08","slug":"niger-water-food-beds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/niger-water-food-beds\/","title":{"rendered":"Niger: Water, Food &#038; Beds"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I traveled to Niger in 2013 with a group from my former church, Grace Chapel, photographing work that was being done there in well repair, health &amp; hygiene training, schools and at an orphanage.\u00a0 Niger is one of the of poorest countries in the world and was ranked last at 187th in the United Nations Human Development Index at the time of our trip.\u00a0 It is 80% Sahara desert and has been struggling with military rule since its independence in 1958.<\/p>\n<p>It was definitely a land of sand.\u00a0 The road in front of our guest house was nothing but sand and we were in the middle of Niamey, the capital city.\u00a0 There was definitely some paved roads and somewhat modern facilities, but they were among many people just struggling to survive.\u00a0 It is always amazing to me the overall spirit of people in places like this and how so many of them still have smiles on their faces as they are buoyed by their family and community relationships.<\/p>\n<p>Helping them repair damaged wells and give communities access to fresh water was one of the tasks that really drew me to this trip.\u00a0 It was also amazing to hear the stories of the difference health and hygiene training was making for the women and children in the villages from past training classes.\u00a0 In addition, we helped them plant moringa.\u00a0 A miracle plant that is really making a difference in many developing countries. It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables. It can also be used for water purification and hand washing, and is sometimes used in herbal medicine.<\/p>\n<p>I was the most touched by an unexpected trip to photograph an orphanage.\u00a0 I was asked to photograph Orphelinat le Bon Samaritan, an orphanage that had lost much of its funding the year before. \u00a0I was touched by the kids there and some of their obvious needs. \u00a0One of those needs was beds. \u00a0Most of the 60 children were sleeping on the tile floors or on a couple very old and worn mattresses. \u00a0I literally only saw one usable bed in the entire orphanage. \u00a0I decided that I wanted to help out by raising the money when I returned home. \u00a0Elevate Photography matched any donations that were given with a goal to raise $6,240. \u00a0This would purchase 30 bunk beds and 60 mattresses for the children. \u00a0Thanks to the generosity of our friends, families and Elevate\u2019s clients, we were able to raise all of the money! \u00a0The money was sent to them in March of 2014 and the children can now be tucked in and get a great nights sleep. &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/colorado-photographer-mccory-james\/\">McCory<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0001.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14212\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0001.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0001\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0001.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0001-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0001-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0002.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14213\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0002.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0002\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0002.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0002-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0002-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0003.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14214\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0003.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0003\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0003.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0003-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0003-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0004.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14215\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0004.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0004\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0004.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0004-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0004-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0005.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14216\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0005.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0005\" width=\"640\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0005.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0005-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0005-620x464.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0006.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14217\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0006.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0006\" width=\"640\" height=\"723\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0006.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0006-266x300.jpg 266w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0006-620x700.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0007.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14218\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0007.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0007\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0007.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0007-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0007-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0008.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14219\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0008.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0008\" width=\"640\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0008.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0008-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0008-620x439.jpg 620w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0008-100x70.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0009.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14220\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0009.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0009\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0009.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0009-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0009-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0010.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14221\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0010.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0010\" width=\"640\" height=\"955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0010.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0010-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0010-620x925.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0011.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14222\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0011.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0011\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0011.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0011-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0011-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0012.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14223\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0012.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0012\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0012.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0012-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0012-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0013.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14224\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0013.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0013\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0013.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0013-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0013-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0014.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14225\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0014.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0014\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0014.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0014-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0014-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0015.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14226\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0015.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0015\" width=\"640\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0015.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0015-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0015-620x439.jpg 620w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0015-100x70.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0016.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14227\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0016.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0016\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0016.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0016-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0016-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0017.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14228\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0017.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0017\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0017.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0017-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0017-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0018.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14229\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0018.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0018\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0018.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0018-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0018-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0019.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14230\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0019.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0019\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0019.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0019-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0019-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0020.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14231\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0020.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0020\" width=\"640\" height=\"957\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0020.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0020-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0020-620x927.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0021.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14232\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0021.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0021\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0021.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0021-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0021-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0022.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14233\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0022.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0022\" width=\"640\" height=\"297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0022.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0022-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0022-620x288.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0023.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14234\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0023.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0023\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0023.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0023-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0023-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0024.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14235\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0024.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0024\" width=\"640\" height=\"905\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0024.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0024-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0024-620x877.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0025.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14236\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0025.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0025\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0025.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0025-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0025-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0026.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14237\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0026.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0026\" width=\"640\" height=\"956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0026.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0026-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0026-620x926.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0027.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14238\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0027.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0027\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0027.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0027-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0027-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0028.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14239\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0028.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0028\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0028.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0028-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0028-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0029.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14240\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0029.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0029\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0029.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0029-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0029-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0030.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14241\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0030.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0030\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0030.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0030-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0030-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0031.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14242\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0031.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0031\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0031.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0031-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0031-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0032.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14243\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0032.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0032\" width=\"640\" height=\"297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0032.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0032-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0032-620x288.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0033.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14244\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0033.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0033\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0033.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0033-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0033-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0034.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14245\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0034.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0034\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0034.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0034-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0034-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0035.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14246\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0035.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0035\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0035.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0035-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0035-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0036.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14247\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0036.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0036\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0036.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0036-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0036-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0037.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14248\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0037.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0037\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0037.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0037-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0037-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0038.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14249\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0038.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0038\" width=\"640\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0038.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0038-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0038-620x464.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0039.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14250\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0039.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0039\" width=\"640\" height=\"956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0039.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0039-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0039-620x926.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0040.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14251\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0040.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0040\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0040.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0040-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0040-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0041.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14252\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0041.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0041\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0041.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0041-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0041-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0043.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14254\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0043.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0043\" width=\"640\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0043.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0043-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0043-620x464.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0044.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14255\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0044.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0044\" width=\"640\" height=\"957\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0044.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0044-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0044-620x927.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0045.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14256\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0045.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0045\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0045.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0045-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0045-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0046.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14257\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0046.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0046\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0046.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0046-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0046-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0047.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14258\" src=\"http:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/niger_0047.jpg\" alt=\"niger_0047\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0047.jpg 640w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0047-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/09\/niger_0047-620x416.jpg 620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I traveled to Niger in 2013 with a group from my former church, Grace Chapel, photographing work that was being done there in well repair, health &amp; hygiene training, schools and at an orphanage.\u00a0 Niger is one of the of poorest countries in the world and was ranked last at 187th in the United Nations Human Development Index at the time of our trip.\u00a0 It is 80% Sahara desert and has been struggling with military rule since its independence in 1958. It was definitely a land of sand.\u00a0 The road in front of our guest house was nothing but sand and we were in the middle of Niamey, the capital city.\u00a0 There was definitely some paved roads and somewhat modern facilities, but they were among many people just struggling to survive.\u00a0 It is always amazing to me the overall spirit of people in places like this and how so many of them still have smiles on their faces as they are buoyed by their family and community relationships. Helping them repair damaged wells and give communities access to fresh water was one of the tasks that really drew me to this trip.\u00a0 It was also amazing to hear the stories &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14259,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[157,121],"tags":[179,883,882,176,177,881],"class_list":["post-14211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventures","category-life-style","tag-africa","tag-mission-trip","tag-moringa","tag-niger","tag-orphanage","tag-wells"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Niger: Water, Food &amp; Beds - Denver Wedding Photographers - Elevate Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Niger: Water, Food &amp; Beds\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/elevatephotography.com\/devwp\/blog\/niger-water-food-beds\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Niger: Water, Food &amp; 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