Scott and I were fortunate to visit Elèna at her Peace Corps site in Solenzo, Burkina Faso. One of the poorest nations on earth, this landlocked West African country struggles with food insecurity and many of its people are threatened by global climate change and encroaching desertification.
That doesn’t hinder the culture of providing guests with meals. During our short stay in Solenzo, we were treated to many special meals. We had roasted goat, beef, fish, and chicken. Pots of to, a staple starch of pounded millet, and platters of rice accompanied by casseroles of “sauces” made with onions, tomatoes, baobab leaves, oseille (a local leaf), babenda (another local leafy green), and the leaves of maringa, a new “superfood” tree that grows rapidly. The generosity of people who have little of their own is humbling. We will return to the US and our rich life style more deeply appreciative of what we have and (hopefully) more conscientious of how we use our resources.

Below: A meal with the Sisters at the convent in Solenzo. To (the white stuff), couscous (the golden grains), baobab sauce, beef.