The private school seemed quite well organized, with books, notepads, pencils, blackboards. The teachers seemed motivated although still at a ratio of about 60 students per teacher. We then walked to the other school which was much poorer. We returned to Mandaka at around noon and I felt exhausted. The heat is unbearable during the day.
Life is hard, a daily fight for survival.
Children don't remain children for long. By the age of five they have chores - taking care of the animals or the younger children, fetching water, plowing. They then have something to eat and start their chores. Saturday We walked the 12 km to Soulede for the market and visited the private health center, sponsored by a German mission, which works very well. We got a ride to Mokolo and visited the public health center.