Picture of Village Life

Here's a few pictures to give a view of life in the village. Here in Coumba Diouma, we:

Haul water from wells

Sweep at least twice a day with straw brooms


Plant and harvest peanuts


Store things (like corn) on the roof to dry, where the goats can't get them


Eat Nebeday leaves for dinner (So good!)

Drink attaya (tea) with loads of sugar

Women carry stuff on their heads and babies on their backs, sometimes at the same time

When we had the big meeting with Mamadou, we had an equally big lunch brought to us in the school yard.


Tostan hosted a department-wide declaration day and had a big parade in Velingara.


For holidays and special occasions, they put henna on their feet. This is Rachael getting her feet done by candlelight.
These are my feet being hennaed.


At religious holidays, like Tabaski, there is a prayer service in the schoolyard. The men line up in the front, women in the back,


and the young kids with their moms and grandmas.



After the prayer service, everyone goes back home to cook a big meal,


using a big ol' pot. (These 2 are from the baptism in our compound).


And then we share the food with the neighbors. Yay Teranga (hospitality), the national motto!