Battle of names, Bamako, Mali

Children selling beignets on a Sunday in Bamako

Back in Bamako for another report on Leprosy for the International Day for the fight against Leprosy at the end of January. Bamako is a friendly place and since I have been coming here for a few years, I have many friends. There are a few very common family names here in Mali. The Djiarras, Coulibaly and Traoré joke that they are the best. "The Coulibaly's are our slaves and eat beans," says a Djiarra. Then a Traoré comes over and says they both are his slaves and only eat potatoes, for example. Then they all explode in a big laugh, shaking each other's hands. When you first come here, one is given a name. I was given the name Djiarra, so I get told I am the slave of the Coulibalys and Traorés. I have got the hang of the game now and tell them they all eat beans. It's great fun!

It is great to always come back to the same place. I have seen children grow up here and they always remember me and come running when I arrive. Myriam is one little girl I have filmed since she was even littler. She is the daughter of Amadou Coulibaly, president of an association of former lepers. Here she looks like she is demonstrating a bit of independence behind the wheel of her dad's small truck as the neighborhood boys watch.