AB 201 bazaar supports Agadez community Published March 12, 2024 By Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex 406th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs AIR BASE 201, Niger -- U.S. service members browse handmade items during a general bazaar at Air Base 201, March 2, 2024. The 45 local vendors in attendance each earned about 168,000 West African Francs ($290), a substantial contribution to yearly household income. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Local Agadez artisans earned a collective 7.5 million West African Francs (about $13,000) during a general bazaar at Air Base 201, hosted by the 409th Air Expeditionary Group on March 2. As the first bazaar of the year, the event hosted 45 vendors from the community, nearly twice as many who participated in the previous held in December 2023, and drew 150 Americans from the base to support the local economy while deepening cultural understanding. “The bazaars help AB 201 maintain a positive relationship with the community of Agadez, allowing us to support the economic stability of the vendors,” said U.S. Army Capt. Lindsey Martinez, 437th Civil Affairs Battalion Alpha Company team leader. Vendors for this specific event were primarily from a local cooperative of artists, Martinez said. Their merchandise ranged from hand-carved figurines to traditional clothing, unique jewelry and more. Ismael, a vendor whose family owns a jewelry store in Agadez and has participated in bazaars at the base before, said the money made during the event will allow him to care for family and send children to school. One piece he sold will allow his brother to pay for high school. A local Agadez vendor shows his wares to U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Rachel Marks, 409th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron logistics superintendent, during a general bazaar at Air Base 201, Niger, March 2, 2024. The event raised millions of West African Francs (thousands of U.S. dollars) for the local communities while enriching American cultural awareness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res A local Agadez man holds a hand-carved figure for sale during a general bazaar at Air Base 201, Niger, March 2, 2024. The mutually beneficial event raised a collective 7.5 million West African Francs (about $13,000) for the local community while expanding American cultural awareness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res A local Agadez vendor displays a rug during a general bazaar at Air Base 201, Niger, March 2, 2024. About 150 American personnel attended the event, which hosted 45 vendors and raised an average of 168,000 West African Francs (about $290) per vendor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “The bazaar is very [helpful]. It helps a lot [of] local people in Agadez,” Ismael said. “Everyone is happy for this bazaar.” A local Agadez woman showcases her items for sale during a general bazaar at Air Base 201, Niger, March 2, 2024. This bazaar allowed 45 vendors to earn an average of 168,000 West African Francs ($290), to support their families and celebrate Ramadan this month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Fatima, another vendor from Agadez, shared Ismael’s sentiment, expressing her appreciation for the opportunity to support her family as well as practice English with Americans. “I am an English teacher, and I like to improve this language for my students,” Fatima said. “These are very good opportunities...American people do, for all the people. This kind of bazaar helps us.” Both Fatima and Ismael said the funds not only help family businesses, but also are especially beneficial as Ramadan, the Islamic observance month intended for spiritual growth, draws near. “With this money, we can buy everything we want to have a good fasting,” Fatima said. A U.S. Airman assigned to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron looks at a handmade map of Africa during a general bazaar at Air Base 201, Niger, March 2, 2024. The event brought together Agadez vendors, who coordinated with AB 201 agencies for a mutually beneficial event and earned a collective 7.5 million West African Francs (about $13,000) to support their families and communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Martinez said the interactions between service members and Agadez vendors despite occasional language barriers are her favorite part of hosting the events because everyone is kind and the vendors are appreciative of the purchases. “It’s cool to see how people are able to communicate without a common language,” Martinez said. Coordination for the next general bazaar is underway, with the event expected to be held in the summer of 2024.
