“Thanks,” Esther said to the middle-aged woman behind the vegetable stall before turning away to look for the next vendor. From the pocket of her sweater, she pulled out a small piece of paper, its surface filled with the shopping list she needed to complete.

“This one’s done… and this one, I think I still have at home,” she murmured, eyes drifting down the long list she’d scribbled earlier. Once she was sure every item she needed was tucked safely into her bags, her next mission ...