VOA标准英语2009-Women Fatten Sheep to Raise Money for School

A group of women in Southeastern Senegal pooled their money, bought 25 sheep for $35 each, now selling their largest ones for around $165, in their latest business project, called Operation Tabaski

Ricci Shryock | Dakar 23 November 2009

 
Photo: VOA Photo - A. Jallow
One of the women of Tambacounda region of Senegal who took part this year in "Operation Tabaski" with her children, 23 Nov 2009

"They work day in day out, within their families, but also on site, income generating activities, so they definitely have the will," said Jessica Young, U.S. Peace Corps¹ Volunteer in Tambacounda

Normally men raise the sheep that will be sold at the annual Muslim holiday feast, known as Tabaski in West Africa.  But an enterprising group of women are now selling the animals.  

As Muslims prepare for the annual feast of Eid al-Adha, also known as Tabaski in West Africa, traditionally it is the men who raise and sell the sheep that will be sacrificed at the feast.  But one group of women in Southeastern Senegal have spent the past months working on what they have named, Operation Tabaski.

In July a group of 70 women in the Tambacounda region of Senegal pooled their money together and crossed the border into Mali to buy 25 sheep.  The group is known as Ande Bokke Leggay, which means "To Work Together" in the Senegalese language of Wolof.  Their secretary general, Madam Oumi Sy, says the group has been developing economic projects for women since 1996, but this was the first year the group raised and fattened² to sheep to sell for the Tabaski holiday.

She adds the main goal is that they can pay the school fees for their children, and help other low-income women in the region do the same.

They originally bought the sheep for around $35 each.  They are now selling their largest ones for around $165.  It has been successful this year, so they will continue the project next year, says the group's project coordinator³, Khadiatou Sy.

She says this project is a battle against the current financial crisis, because many women in the region do not have enough money right now.

A U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Tambacounda, Jessica Young, says the group of women have shown a lot of dedication⁴ to improving business practices during Operation Tabaski.

"They work day in day out, within their families, but also on site, income generating activities, so they definitely have the will," said Young.

Tabaski will be celebrated⁵ November 28th this year in Senegal.  Muslims celebrate the holiday to commemorate⁶ when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son.  To honor this, Muslim families in Senegal sacrifice a sheep.

1 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

2 fattened   

v.喂肥( fatten的过去式和过去分词 )；养肥（牲畜）；使（钱）增多；使（公司）升值

参考例句：

• The piglets are taken from the sow to be fattened for market. 这些小猪被从母猪身边带走，好育肥上市。
• Those corrupt officials fattened themselves by drinking the people's life-blood. 那些贪官污吏用民脂民膏养肥了自己。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 coordinator   

n.协调人

参考例句：

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 联合国人道主义事务协调厅在紧急救济协调员领导下，负责协调联合国的所有紧急救济工作。
• How am I supposed to find the client-relations coordinator? 我怎么才能找到客户关系协调员的办公室？

4 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

5 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

6 commemorate   

vt.纪念，庆祝

参考例句：

• This building was built to commemorate the Fire of London.这栋大楼是为纪念“伦敦大火”而兴建的。
• We commemorate the founding of our nation with a public holiday.我们放假一日以庆祝国庆。