Connectionivoirienne.net in Treichville in Abidjan, Malian and Burkinabè women make shops their homes in front of shops

  • By bbotany
  • 655 Views
  • 01/06/2022

Connectionivoirienne.net in Treichville in Abidjan, Malian and Burkinabè women make shops their homes in front of shops

Who are they, where do they come from, what do they want? – Lebanco.net

They decided to make the storefronts of certain stores on Avenue 8 in the town of Treichville their home. Despite the unsuitability of the framework and the risks of all kinds linked to their installation in these places, women, some of whom are accompanied by children, have nevertheless chosen to squat in the front of these commercial stores. Risking their lives.

Who are these women? Where do they come from? How did they get there?

How do they support themselves? How are they organised? Curious to know the answer to these questions as well as many others, we had to spend time with them. Incursion into the lair of these women, who live at the mercy of attacks and bad weather.

It is undoubtedly one of the most famous avenues of the mythical town of Treichville. One of the main characteristics of Avenue 8, since that is what it is, is that it is full of several stores. Offering services as varied as they are diverse. It is the facade of some of these stores that women, some accompanied by their children, have chosen to occupy to make it their home. On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, it is 5:15 p.m. when we arrive in front of some of these stores. Among which are those called “Sale foam mattress at Jacques”, and “ECOTECH”. Both stores have already closed. During this period of Muslim fasting, traders, mostly practicing this religion, return earlier than usual to break the fast. Women and children, seated on mats, or pieces of loincloths, have already taken their places at the threshold of said stores. These are on the opposite side to the Grand Mosque on Avenue 8 (better known as the Grand Mosque Dioula). In the extension of the mosque just after a store selling prayer rugs, carpets, mattresses, rubber chairs, and others, another group of women and children looking like the previous ones occupy the front of an abandoned store. Obviously, there are more of them. We walk briskly towards the hour marking the end of this day of penance. There are incessant movements in the periphery of the mosque. Some will buy fruit juice from the vendors who have come in large numbers with small basins placed on their heads, containing the beverages in question. A lady selling refried bean pasta chose to sit opposite the mosque. A choice that apparently brings him luck. Since at the time of our visit, it is overwhelmed by customers. It was in this atmosphere that a couple arrived aboard a large black SUV. Who parked at the women's level in front of the abandoned store. Dressed in a sky blue lace boubou, a lady gets out of the vehicle. She goes to the trunk, opens it, takes out some “take away” containing rice dishes covered with eggplant sauce. And pieces of beef, wrapped in black plastic bags. She has barely started to distribute the packaging when she is stormed by the many women in the area, who have come running. The majority of those who were busy, immediately abandon what they were doing to go and benefit from the food distributed by this generous soul. Apparently, the donor seemed to be well known to these homeless people. In the space of a few minutes, the bag in which the “take away” were was emptied. The visibly happy donor, waving goodbye to the women, climbs back into the vehicle. Which starts immediately. The beneficiaries return with a smile on their face. Not without having taken the trouble to thank their benefactress, showering her with blessings.

With their packages, these women go back to their business. By placing the bags next to their luggage, placed on the floor. To prevent children from stepping on them. This is the moment we choose to approach them. Deeming our presence suspicious, they initially refuse to listen to us. Although we have declined our identity, and explained the reasons for our presence, they are reluctant to receive us. It took the mediation not to say the tact of two young people. Itinerant currency traders who exchange all kinds of currencies in the area, to convince them to receive us. They end up accepting after talking to each other for a few minutes.

Messy and dilapidated

The first remark that jumps out at you is that the place that shelters these women and their children is unsanitary. Garbage litters the ground. Plus leftover food. Water used for cleaning is poured ashore. While other quantities of wastewater are discharged into a drain located near the corner of the intersection. And which in principle is made to ensure the drainage of rainwater. A pestilential odor emanates from it. Difficult to bear for any first comer. But by dint of living there, the occupants of the area have come to terms with it. The small trash can placed next to the drain is overflowing with rubbish. To the point where some end up on the ground.

The buckets containing water for cooking and those for toilets are side by side. We cannot distinguish between them. Next to these containers, we can see kettles. Which are also placed in disorder. Several plates are lying around pell-mell for lack of a larger utensil that would have been used to store them. In this unhealthy setting, we also see baskets placed all over the place. Living in a very limited space, these women have no choice but to do the cooking, washing, washing up, bathing children and other household activities on site. Consequences the corner is constantly wet. The minimum rules of hygiene are thus royally ignored.

The situation with luggage and various belongings is also not enviable. Indeed, the bags, the mats, and all the other objects are piled up at the foot of the wall of the store on a small elevation. A part of these objects is covered with a rubber canvas of black color. Above the baggage hang ropes. They are supported by spikes, which have been fixed in certain places on the wall. More ropes stretch between the wall and a nearby telephone pole. These polyester ropes are used to dry washed clothes, as well as some of those that did not have room in the luggage on the floor. The lack of stools or other instruments used as seats increases the lack of ease of the occupants of the place. Thus, when it comes to sitting down, priority is then given to the oldest of these women. While the youngest and children are content with the floor. The dilapidation and the indescribable disorder that reign there are only a logical consequence of the promiscuity in which these women live there.

Connectionivoirienne.net In Treichville in Abidjan, Malian and Burkinabe women make storefronts their homes

According to information received on site, we learn that the place is occupied by two groups. We move towards the one that is closer to the store next to the great Dioula Mosque, on Avenue 8. There, Konaté Mariam, 23 years old and Koné Aicha, 20 years old, the most educated of this group are designated to exchange with us . Having pointed out that her name recalls that of the Diva of Ivorian music, Koné Aicha sketched a small smile as if to put us at ease. Speaking in turn, they claim to come from Burkina Faso, their country of origin, for 4 years for Koné Aicha and 3 years for his compatriot. Moreover, this group of women only includes nationals of this country. Some women have spent 10 years there, or even more for others. It was on the advice of comrades, who had already stayed there, that they came there. Some have now returned to their country. Regarding the activities they carry out for a living, Konaté Mariam, while readjusting the loincloth allowing her to hold her baby firm on her back, lets Koné Aicha answer. “Most of the women who live here are washerwomen. Every morning, we crisscross the neighborhoods of the town of Treichville in search of customers. We sometimes go door to door for this, ”says this one without hesitation. Raising a corner of the veil on their daily recipes, Koné Aicha reveals that they oscillate between 2000 Fcfa and 3000 Fcfa.

These washerwomen don't seem well organized. When we wanted to know their exact number, our interlocutors remained practically speechless. They struggled to answer. Supported by their compatriots, they start counting in their mother tongue. Before finally dropping the number 16. As for the children, there are 22 of them. Due to a lack of financial means, none of these toddlers go to school.

Apart from the fact that they do not know with all the required accuracy, their number in this place, there is also the lack of a leader or group manager which arises with acuity. No interlocutor or spokesperson worthy of the name to turn to in case of need. Everything is done in groups. All decisions relating to the group are certainly taken collectively. But, there is no one to speak about it on behalf of the group.