In the summer of 2005, a terrible famine gripped the West African nation of Niger.  I had an opportunity to go and document the situation with Doctors Without Borders or Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in the small town of Maradi and its environs, and it was easily one of the most challenging and memorable experiences of my career.  While there I was also able to photograph the programs of Islamic Relief in the town of Telaberi.  Both organizations, in addition to the many other organizations on the ground assisting, were running field hospitals, mobile clinics, and Therapeutic and Supplementary Feeding Centers (TFCs and SFCs).  Getting to and traveling in Niger was challenging, as was the subject matter, and I was filled with doubt about the whole endeavor, even delaying my departure a few days to shore up my courage.  On top of it all, by the time I arrived in Paris after a long delay in Boston, I missed my connection to Niamey, Niger's capital.  The next flight was in 4 days.  Of all the places on earth, I managed to get stuck in Paris.  The first thing I saw when I mistakenly got off at the wrong Metro Stop in Jardin du Luxembourg, (these were the days of flip phones) was a spectacular Photojournalism exhibition hanging on the exterior of the fences that surround the park.  Whatever previous doubt I had disappeared, and on I continued to Niger.  The women of Niger are stunning in every way.  The colors and patterns they wear and combine, their facial scarring, their hijabs and headscarves...and they are fiercely devoted to their children and families, they walk for miles to bring their malnourished and sick children to the mobile clinics and TFC's to receive often lifesaving care.  But the country itself was completely the opposite.  It was rough, dry, sparse,  and unwelcoming.  It was probably my least favorite job location.  While I was there, attempting to process the work at hand,  I watched in horror on a tiny hotel tv, as Hurricane Katrina lashed the Gulf Coast and Louisiana...and I knew where I would be heading next.