Sketching in Mauritania: October 2017

October 31, 2017

Pierre and Michele, France and Sihan, Tunisia (living in Nouakchott)

So many foreigners live and work in Mauritania. From a few months to a few years to a lifetime. Some being first or second generation. Some come by choice others are life circumstances that brought them here others never wanted to leave or keep coming back. Let's draw them.

Fondation VGL, Mauritanie

Pierre and Michele they're retired but they choose to come to Mauritania every year for long months and work at Fondation VGL. They're responsible of labeling and cataloguing the whole collection of VGL. From postcards and photos to prehistoric pieces, from stamps to chests and old jewelry.
VGL aim is to enhance, conserve and safeguard Mauritania's cultural and historical heritage for future generations.

Cup-cake Nkc

Sihan from Tunisia runs Cupcake (they've this beautiful page in facebook with all their sweets).

I don't know much about Sihan apart that she loves reading and that her pastry shop works as a book exchange place. But what I know is that is the best cake shop in town and she's well known for her cheese cakes.

October 24, 2017

Madame Yang's vegetable garden (living in Nouakchott)

partial view of the vegetable garden

At zeinart we do a farmer's Market twice a month, we're in mid October and the three people that sell vegetables are still planting. Then someone tells me about this Chinese lady that has a vegetable garden growing in Sebkha. (a lot of neighborhoods have developed in areas were the land is under the sea level and salted water surfaces).

cutting the wood for poles

Lié and Yang preparing the wooden poles

They were asked to come and do vegetable garden in Nouakchott for the Chinese community.

Madame Yang

Madame Yang has now been 5 years or so in Nouakchott, looking for a better life. She was victim of an accident when she was 19 years old and lost the fingers of both hands. She has grey hair and a ready smile. Both are hard workers.

visitor and working under the sun

Both mornings I see a few Chinese and Koreans coming over to buy vegetables. This lady was well equipped to protect her skin from the sun rays.
They have done all the work of the garden themselves with the help of a local worker.