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| Suzanne |
Blessed Fair!
Even this year, despite everything, we managed to
organize the Bozoum Agricultural Fair! Since 2004 we have been able to
hold 17 fairs.
Last year, due to the war, we were unable to hold
the fair. This year, the challenges are still here, but we managed to
come together and overcome some of the obstacles we encountered. The
areas of Bocaranga, Ndim and Ngaundaye are the scene of rebel clashes;
the Russian mercenaries and the Central African military push the people
not to go to the fields; on some roads there are mines, and a long
bridge between Bocaranga and Bozoum has been destroyed, preventing
people from crossing, and forcing the trucks to pass through Bouar
(which incurs further risks, and an extra 150 km of unnecessary road).
As if this were not enough, various factions of the military, police and
other officials have set up roadblocks asking the trucks for money to
let them pass.
The dangers and cost of transport (which has more than doubled) has reduced the number of transports, especially from afar.
But…
when we opened the Fair on Friday, January 28th with the parade of
cooperatives, we saw faces full of joy and pride of the many women and
men, who came from Bozoum, and nearby and distant villages.
160
cooperatives were present, a record in the history of Fairs. They set up
their products in the stands we made for them: from Bocaranga mangoes,
to coffee-colored beans, peanuts, rice, sesame, karkadè, corn, millet,
salads, carrots, tomatoes ...
Three days of Fair, and all Bozoum
present in the same place: we had those who bought, those who sold, and
in several restaurants, markets, sellers of clothes, drinks, food etc. A
party for the whole city!
On Friday afternoon we visited 25
gardens: another example of beauty, precision and colors. Many women
created these gardens, and this year there was also a magnificent garden
from a 16-year-old girl, who frequents the Troisième. A sign that the
land, agricultural work, is engaging!
Organizing the fair is a
very demanding job. There is the Caritas staff, who have been working
for years. There are the students of our St. Augustin High School, who
this year have been very good at welcoming, but also at helping
exhibitors with contracts, sales, prices and the calculation of sales
made.
The results, considering everything, are very encouraging.
In the three days that passed all the products were sold. The turnover
was around 90 thousand euros. A huge total, which spills over to the
cooperatives and the city of Bozoum and the whole region.
Also
present was the Bishop of Bouar, who opened and blessed the Fair. Our
Association "Friendship Missionary" of Arenzano financially supported
the project.
But all in all it was still a great fair!
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| Gli alunni del nostro Liceo St. Augustin Les élèves de notre Lycée st Augustin |
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| La sfilata d'apertura Le defilé de l'ouverture |
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| Gli orti Les jardins potagers |
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| Premiazioni Remise des Prix |
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| Premiazioni Remise des Prix |
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| Il vescovo di Bouar L?eveque de Bouar |
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| Premiazioni Remise des Prix |
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