Mothering Globally

I am the mother of three children: Fassely, Soriya, and Indima. Similarly to how my parents raised me, we have made the world their classroom, while we travel the globe as a family. Their most important lessons are learned, for instance, by carving soapstone with our Tuareg friends in Niger, while gathering paioux nut in the forests of the Central African Republic with the BaAka pygmies, or while riding through the streets of Niamey on our donkey, Zorro, and conversing with passers-by and neighborhood friends.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother's Day to mothers around the world. May this day celebrate every moment of motherhood, from the most amazing, ...
First Steps ©Ariane Kirtley

First Steps

FIRST STEPS: In this photo, Mari and Abdoulkarim help Indima take some of her first steps through the streets of ...
THE GIFT OF WATER or UMBILICAL HERNIAS ©Ariane Kirtley

The Gift of Water or Umbilical Hernias

THE GIFT OF WATER or UMBILICAL HERNIAS … no matter where or to whom, the gift of water is the ...
THE GUARDIAN ©Ariane Kirtley

The Guardian

THE GUARDIAN: Ibhahim with Soriya. Ibrahim is Halimata's husband. Like his wife, he is our guardian angel number 2. We ...
THE GUARDIAN ANGEL ©Ariane Kirtley

The Guardian Angel

THE GUARDIAN ANGEL: Halimata provides a comforting, loving knee for Indima, who is tired and sick, suffering from a skin ...
KITTEN RIDES ZORRO ©Ariane Kirtley

Kitten Rides Zorro

KITTEN RIDES ZORRO: In this photo, Soriya carries Mr. Kitten while he and Abdoulkarim enjoy their ride on Zorro our ...
STONE CARVING ©Ariane Kirtley

Stone Carving

STONE CARVING: In this photo, Fassely admires the stone he has chisled while Ahoudan explains the next steps for shaping ...
THE HANDWASHING SESSION ©Ariane Kirtley

The Handwashing Session

THE HANDWASHING SESSION: Cherifa teaches Indima and Rafia the "proper" way of washing hands. It's a little funny, since I ...
siblings

Siblings of Love

Fassely, Marie, and Cherifa have been best friends for eight years now. When I look at this picture, I am ...
beauty and love

Happy New Year!! Blessings and Beauty, Love and Peace!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! BLESSINGS AND BEAUTY, LOVE AND PEACE! photo: Soriya kissing Fatoum Zara ...
First or Second Husband?

First or Second Husband?

By now you all know that I’m an advocate of polyandry, so you get to vote: will Indima marry Arouna ...
Hamza and Indima

Hamza and Indima

I know this photo is blurry... but it's simply too cute not to post. Here Hamza is walking with Indima ...
Yoga in Niamey

Yoga in Niamey

Meet Hamza! He is Arouna and Hassana's big brother. Hamza has also become one of our dear family friends, and ...
The Urban Farm

The Urban Farm

In this photo, Fassely and Hassana are playing with Hassana's chicks. Heini watches in the background. Heini and her husband ...
Friends

Friends

Arouna, Soriya, Abdoulkarim, Abdoulrazac (Arouna's little brother), and Hassana sit together on a tree stump next to Arouna's squatter's home ...