Siramory and Youssouf’s visit 1999

In July 1999 Youssouf Konate and Siramory Diarra visited Burley. Siramory is the President of the Gardening Association in the village of Makono not far from Bamako the capital of Mali. She came to the UK for Christian Aid’s “Time Line Garden” at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. She was also keen to meet some gardeners.

Siramory was accompanied by Youssouf the Linking Officer for the “On the Line” Project. Siramory was keen to visit allotments in Burley. After taking part in the assembly at Burley and Woodhead Church of England First School, Siramory and Youssouf were taken to nearby allotments with some of the children where they planted marrow seedlings.

At Burley Middle School, after meeting Headteacher Mr. MacIntosh, Siramory and Youssouf talked about the “On the Line” project in the assembly. Siramory spoke Bambara which Youssouf translated into French. Mrs. Barnet then translated the French to English. In Christian Aid News Siramory wrote “My life is so different. I am a market gardener from Makono. I usually walk four hours a day to haul water from a well. I am used to going many hours without drinking, so it was strange to be offered cups of tea all the time. On market days I walk for eight hours with my basket of fruit and vegetables on my head, earning £1 per basket. Without the produce from my garden I could not pay for education or healthcare for my children.”

Harvest 1999

In September several marrow were harvested. They were made into Marrow and Apple Chutney and Marrow and Ginger Jam.

Siramory had decorated her left hand which shows she is a married woman. This poem was written to celebrate the link.