Weather forecasts predict high temperatures throughout this year’s Ramadan observances. Even in these conditions, women visit the garden to water plants twice each day.
This week marked the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from drinking and eating from sunrise to sunset. In addition, individuals spend this month reflecting on and enacting Islamic tenets, including empathy for the poor, charity, and communal worship.
Cooperative members remain dedicated to the success of the garden, even when fasting makes strenuous activity difficult.
The weather forecast for rural Senegal will remain dry and hot for much of the next month, with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees. CREATE! field technicians and beneficiaries will continue to tend gardens, build cookstoves, care for chickens, and participate in other activities – all while fasting.
Cooperative members raise chickens as a source of protein and income for their families.
Poultry cooperatives in our partner communities are already planning ahead for the festivities that mark the end of Ramadan. Some cooperatives have doubled the number of chickens they raise so that they will have an ample supply for Korite festivals next month.
We wished a blessed Ramadan to our staff, beneficiaries, and Muslim supporters!