Learning to make alala (Galettes) : A lesson in cooking and microfinance at CURE

Step # 1 Prepare white beans and peel lots of garlic

Step #2 & 3  Grind the beans and garlic and some onions together, gather mixing bowls and palm oil

Step #4 Pound the peppers-dried and fresh.....HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

Step #5 Mixing of ground beans, water, Maggie cubes, more chopped onions and mix

Ishatou is the woman in the yellow top, she helps with the social worker and pastors to help the poor women to learn how to make a living preparing 'Street food'. 'Ah lala' is also called galettes, in French and I think we would call them dumplings in Kentucky.

Step #6 The sloppy mixture is put into small plastic bags-available everywhere apparently!

As we bagged the mixture the women ask questions about how to make the Alala or galettes. They were taught about the nutritional value of the mixture. This is a fast food item that is sold at the gates of schools in the villages. It is a sure money maker. The initial outlay for the grinder/mill for the beans etc is soon recouped.....I wondered?

Step #7 Get a big pot of boiling water and  set up a trivet to steam the bags

Waiting.......

Yummy! Lunch in a bag....hot and ready!

Waiting......fanning the fire!

Mother's are excited of the prospects of having a little business that would support their family.

Health is more than the surgical needs of these children. Their health is affected by poverty, lack of education, lack of knowledge, lack of social support, lack of spiritual encouragement and lack of material resources to live healthfully. 

It was such a special privilege to spend the afternoon at the CURE hostel. The caregivers and their children stay there while waiting for surgery or during continued medical/surgical care. Many people stay at the CURE hostel while having prolonged treatments for osteomylitis or wound care for burns.  These long stay patients and their caregivers are given the opportunity to learn life skills to earn money in their villages. It is a real community of many cultures. There are many tribal languages spoken.......yet the common ones are love, cooperation and mutual concern for their dear children. Friday was wonderful. As we waited for the galettes to steam, I sang all the Sunday School action songs that I knew. Issatou translated them simply. The children loved the actions and tried to learn them. It was a great ice breaker. The women loved seeing me help with the chopping cooking etc....I guess cooking is a common language among women! Oh and by the way......these dumplings were delicious! No kidding! I ate it....very filling!!  Anyone want the recipe?

I am the bread of life, Jesus told them. No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again. John 6:35

True satisfaction!!