News
“Environmental change and health in West Africa – summary of thesis by Aline Desdevises, November 2021
As an intern on the research project Watigueleya Kèlê, Aline Desdevises was able to study a particular dimension of West African rural communities’ resilience facing environmental change : resilience regarding health risks and healthcare. To what extent are rural populations resilient to the deleterious effects of environmental change on their health? The analysis mainly rests on qualitative methods (observation and
“Update on the socio-economic survey…”, November 2021
The socio-economic survey carried out in February-March 2021 in the villages participating in the Watigueleya Kêlè project could not be finalised in the village of Damaro (Guinea) due to an alert concerning the Ebola epidemic. Postponed to the beginning of September, the end of the collection operation had to be postponed again due to the political events that led to
Newsletter #3 – Introduction
Dear readers, For this new edition of the newsletter on Donkosira’s activities, we are spotlighting the work that Aline Desdevises has devoted to the Watigueleya Kèlê project: in her dissertation focusing on the health theme, which she has summarised for us, she documents the work of the Donkosira association, the contribution of village knowledge in the fight against climate change
“Fonio farming in Bandafassi, Senegal”, May 2021
Fonio is one of the cereals whose cultivation is essential in West African food agriculture. Shelling this small cereal is a time-consuming task, traditionally carried out by women.
“A rice field in Wassadou, Senegal”, May 2021
This is a rice field that fills up with water during the rainy season, making it impossible to grow rice. It has remained unused for two years because the water that remains in it causes the plants to rot.
“Jar making in Missirah Tabadiang, Senegal”, May 2021
A key activity for the women of the village to meet some of their needs, which allows them to change activity during the off-season. Explanatory session on jar making by Hamanding Kante
“Fertilizing the soil in Bougarila and Monzona, Mali”, May 2021
Natural fertilisation of soils with animal or plant waste is widely practised, but different techniques can be used, for example to treat the fertiliser used or to save human labour. Natural soil fertilisation in Bougarila (Mali) Report by Gaussou They make the cows stop in the field so that when they defecate on the spot, it will serve as natural
“Climate change in Banzana, Mali”, May 2021
“In Mali (Kayes region, village of Banzana), I remember when I was a child we used to start sowing on the 25th day of May to ensure a good season and the harvests were usually good. But nowadays, the rainy season starts later and later, and this year we started sowing in July and August. So if it doesn’t rain
“Feeding livestock in Bouillagui and Banzana, Mali”, May 2021
Feeding livestock during the dry season, Bouillagui (Mali) Report by Wally Traoré, village delegate of Bouillagui After the winter, to feed our animals when there is no more grass in the bush, we have a method. After the maize and millet harvest, we choose a day to go to our respective fields to cut the canes and millet stalks, transport
“A spoilt pond in Damaro, Guinea”, May 2021
Kalil Camara, a farmer in Damaro, says: “Here the place is called ‘kônongroun’, this marigot is spoiled, the water was very deep, but look, you can even jump on it. The fish have gone, all the young people from the village of Damaro-centre used to come to wash there, to learn to swim, but because of the heat, it has