From Tree To Table

Our recent connection with Sylvie, a social worker from Banfora, led us to visit TON (Jula for Association) one of the locations where she works in Niangoloko. We were interested in learning more about the program in place to rescue children brought over the border to and from the Ivory Coast. Most of the children involved are boys in their teens who do not usually know the person they travel with but are leaving difficulties at home and are promised a well paying job. Often the jobs are in the gold mines where dangerous, substandard conditions exist and wages are low.The boys are often discovered at border checks and found to be without necessary papers. They are then turned over to the police who contact social services. TON then provides food and shelter and returns the children to their families. Social services in their home area endeavors to provide needed assistance but often lacks the resources to do so.

Peeling washed  mangoes

Also located on the TON property is a project to employ local women in the production of dried mangoes.

Quality control

Touring the well-run facility which employs about 110 women on a rotating schedule was an enjoyable field trip experience.

Cutting fresh mangoes

The process involves the washing, peeling, dehydrating and packaging of the fruit
for distribution in Burkina Faso and several other countries.

Into the dehydration oven

We couldn't walk away without purchasing some of this local product.

Inspector Ruth