age 12
In the spring and autumn all the animals wander through the fields near Askole. In the village, there are yaks, dzo, sheep, and goats. There are some cows and a few horses, but not too many. Yaks and dzo live much better in this climate. Each day, girls and young women like Halima go out to collect animal dung in their baskets. Instead of wood for cooking, they use dung for burning in the fires that heat the houses and over which they cook food. Although there is some wood available, there isn't a lot nearby the village, so they try to make use of all burnable materials. Women and girls usually go out to collect dung with their sisters and friends in small work groups. They laugh and joke around while they do their work, and although it's a chore, it is also time to spend enjoying the companionship of other women.