Our First Ever Bamako Branch Relief Society Activity–Making Croquettes

Today was a red-letter day for the Bamako Relief Society!  We had our first ever activity at the church at 2:00.  Our wonderful Relief Society President, Valerie showed the ladies how to make croquettes.  These are delicious treats the children love.  They can also be sold in the market if you want to earn a little money.

We met in the courtyard of the church.  Pres. Sekou welcomed everyone, we had a prayer, and then Valerie went to work teaching us how to make this treat.

First about 2 kg of flour and tub of margarine were mixed well.  Add 1 tsp of soda bicarbonate.

In another bowl, mix 3/4 kg of white sugar, 1/8 kg powdered milk, 5 eggs and 2 packets of vanilla sugar.

Then combine the wet and the dry ingredients, adding water until it forms a stiff dough.

Knead the dough until it’s well mixed.

Roll the dough out about 1/4″ thick, then cut into strips.  Cut the strips into small bits and put in a flowered pan.

In the meantime, Elder Kamenan helped prepare the cooking fire.

Bags of oil were heated over the fire.

And then the dough pieces were dropped into the hot oil.

Each batch took about 20 minutes to cook, with constant stirring.

When golden brown, the pieces were ready.

After these delicious nuggets cooled (and many eaten), the rest were bagged so everyone could take some home for their children.

I love these sisters.  I love being with them and learning from them.  They are beautiful and good in so many ways.

Left to right: Dina, Valerie, Beatrice, Sis Lewis, Vanessa, Sylvanie, Oliver, Koffi, Florence

Driving by the Sheep Market for Bamako’s Tabaski Fête

Here are a series of very short videos taken as we drove down the street next to the place where all the shepherds bring their sheep to sell for the Tabaski celebration here.  This is one of many places you can go to purchase a ram for your family’s feast.

The celebration this year is July 19-20 and is in honor of Abraham’s sacrifice more than 2000 years ago.  This holiday is one of the biggest holidays for Muslims, celebrated all over the world.

In the Neighborhood

Here are a few interesting things from the neighborhood this week:

This is what a healthy school looks like here:  a water tank and tap or pump, a trash can and a latrine to accommodate both boys and girls.

A boy with his wheel:

A street vendor in traffic selling knives:

Wallets for sale:

Women waiting for public transport:

A modern grill restaurant:

Muslim caps and prayer rugs:

Woman selling flip-flops:

Locally made woven fans and baskets:

Men filling sacks with rice:

A welding artist and his praying mantis sculpture:

Feed for final meals of the Tabaski sheep:

The poor cow lost her head.

In Our Neighborhood

Life here is always so interesting.  Here are a few things that caught my attention this week as we were out and about.  First of all, herds of sheep are coming into Bamako as we prepare for the holiday called Tabaski next week, celebrating Abraham’s sacrifice and the ram he offered instead of Isaac.

A Modern Bakery:

Shoes made and sold here:

Water sachets for sale:

Caps for sale!

This shop has all the things needed for worship–kufi caps, boubou tunics, prayer rugs, sandals and prayer beads.

These next few pics are of a drive by clothing store:

This woman was holding twins on her lap:

Stopping at a fast food restaurant:

This is how baguettes are delivered from bakeries to shops and vendors:

This motorcyclist made me smile:

Public transport.  These vans are called “sotramas.”

Another family on the go:

A typical residential street near the church:

Mickey Mouse!

A welder’s shop:

Man selling brooms:

A nice gas station:

Electronics and appliances for sale here:

Dishes and housewares for sale:

A used clothing store and some rugs:

More clothing for sale:

A motorcycle part shop:

Ladies with their goods:

Mutton and trotters (feet) for sale:

A red, white and blue propane shop:

Man fanning his stove:

Furniture made here:

Backpacks and satchels for sale:

Men’s suits and tunics for sale:

How about some shorts?

Motorcycle helmets: