Stories of the Azawak

Here are individual tableaus of people that I’ve met along my way living and working in the Azawak.  To me, it is just as important to share the beauty and complexity of their lives, as well as their plight.

The Family Portrait

The Family Portrait

THE FAMILY PORTRAIT: In this photo, you can see Alhassan with his wife, Sadouan, and their children.  Mouheini, who you ...
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The Inconsistencies of Parenthood

THE INCONSISTENCIES OF PARENTHOOD: This photo depicts Salah and his youngest daughter.  Salah is one of my best friends from ...
sanitation hygiene defecate

Flying Bags of Poop

FLYING BAGS OF POOP: I was exhausted from the day’s heat, and tired of conducting questionnaires.  Even though my research ...
Can Your Culture Make you Healthier?

Can Your Culture Make you Healthier?

CAN YOUR CULTURE MAKE YOU HEALTHIER? This Fulani girl is from the village of Goumbi Kanno, near Niger’s border with ...
The Anassara (White) Genie

The Anassara (White) Genie

THE ANASSARA (WHITE) GENIE:  The day I encountered this child, I had spent the day driving through the wild grasslands ...
That's a Camp?

That’s a Camp?

THAT’S A CAMP?  This little boy and his mother were the first Wodaabe that I met in the Azawak.  In ...
From Gerewols to Schools

From Gerewols to Schools

FROM GEREWOLS TO SCHOOLS: Fada, adorned with charm talismans, a round feather- topped hat and a Tuareg saber, came bouncing ...
The Flea Infested Camp

The Flea Infested Camp

THE FLEA INFESTED CAMP: I do not know this Touareg child’s name.  But I will never forget her gorgeous smile.  ...
Red Ribbon: Aisha

Red Ribbon: Aisha

RED RIBBON: AISHA Aisha is the daughter of Alhassan and Sadouan, and sister to Mouheini.  I have posted several times ...
Red Ribbon: Mariama

Red Ribbon: Mariama

RED RIBBON: MARIAMA In this photo, Mariama proudly displays the red ribbon that I gave to her, upon my arrival ...
Red Ribbon: Mariama

Red Ribbon: Mariama

RED RIBBON: MARIAMA In this photo, three year old Mariama drinks clean water from the Tangarwashane borehole built by Amman ...
Fairy Water Fetchers: RIP Raichatou, We Will Always Love You!

Fairy Water Fetchers: RIP Raichatou, We Will Always Love You!

FAIRY WATER FETCHERS: RIP RAICHATOU, WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU Raichatou and her group of little girl friends were my ...
Fairy Water Fetchers: Soutout

Fairy Water Fetchers: Soutout

FAIRY WATER FETCHERS: SOUTOUT “Please play with us,” Takat pleaded.  I was busily writing up notes from the questionnaires I ...
Takat

Takat

TAKAT: Takat and her group of little girl friends were my shadows during the month that I lived with their ...
Mouheini

Mouheini

MOUHEINI: Mouheini and her group of little girl friends were my shadows during the month that I lived with their ...