Govenor's Visit to Wili Ka Taama

Dave’s women’s association, Wili Ka Tama, was one of two groups chosen to be graced with a visit from the governor of the Haut-Bassins region. There are only 13 regions in Burkina Faso, putting the governor pretty high up on the hierarchical ladder. After week-long cleaning and preparations, the day was finally nigh. We essentially waited all day and then suddenly the governor rolled up in a convoy of six white all-terrain vehicles and an entourage 15 deep, not to mention 6 photo & video journalists who covered the event.

Dave’s women’s group posing behind a display table of a sampling of their products. Can you find us in the picture? To the right is Dave’s counterpart’s husband, and to the right of him is an “eccentric” fellow who drifts by and hangs out with the ladies while they work. He drifted into the picture. The woman wearing light blue on the right is a 73 year old who always tries to steal Dave away from me. She is getting closer with each attempt.

The governor, in the blue jean shirt, checking out the display table and speaking with Pélagie, our courtyard “mom” and President of Wili Ka Tama. I think in this picture he was arranging to purchase some Fonio.

Dave takes a breather from the hustle and bustle of the governor’s entourage checking out the display table.

Wili Ka Tama’s workshop is located close to a soccer field, and the excitement of the governor’s visit attracted a small crowd.

Luckily, there was a super-daunting gendarme with huge machine gun to menace the children and prevent them from overtaking the event.

The governor’s entourage kept the ladies busy with sales and marketing efforts while he toured the inside of the workshop.

And then, just as suddenly as they had come, they left, in a hurry, on to their next destination.