Bassoguina helping her mother sell soap in the market

Every week Bassoguina's mother goes to the market in Niamtougou to sell soap, which she makes out of palm oil and 'potasse' (a sort of potash). There are taxis, but they cost too much, so Bassoguina and her mother walk 7km to town. Bassoguina's mother carries the soap to market on her head. It is a heavy load.

Bassoguina and her sisters eating dinner

They arrive back home late, for an evening meal of pātes with a thick vegetable sauce.

On special days, mainly religious festivals, the family eats fufu (a doughy porridge made of pounded up yams) and rice, with smoked fish.