Most walls in the slum of Kombo are made of dried mud. These constructions are often damaged during the wet season, but they are cheap to make and keep the house cooler than corrugated iron. Most of these walls are very rough, but Lampo’s house seemed to have a slightly smoother surface, so I thought I’d give it a go. I asked him for a word and he thought for a while before giving me the word “bani” (=health in Zerma). Health is a huge issue for the population of Kombo especially due to do the high risk of malaria, as well as many other diseases caused by poor hygiene and the consumption of non-drinkable water. Everyday we meet kids who have malaria, and adults who are sick. Lampo and his son Moussa told me that health is the first issue that the community has to address, and development will follow.