Alana and Lydia

The former colonial town of Richard-Toll lies at the border of Mauritania on the south bank of the Sénégal river and is our farthest point north. However, driving north toward our destination the landscape becomes increasingly barren and one begins to wonder whether there will again be water. The stark contrast of green lush fields in the north soon appears and the river running through it become a welcome site. We were very happy to find Lydia and Alana in good spirits and they welcomed us with a traditional meal of Thiebu Dien (rice and fish).

When they are not "reclining" in their room there is plenty to do at the traditional dairy where they slip into their appropriate work clothes, process, package, and refrigerate the milk product. Besides the two- room traditional dairy, Alana and Lydia will also be working at a slightly more automated dairy farm. Both dairies, administered by AESCAW, are owned and operated by Senegalese women.