Human Interest

Hamani has a deep, contagious laugh, and an irresistibly friendly personality.  I met him several years ago.  Every time we ...

Cheifou is a marabout, or Islamic religious leader.  I walk past Cheifou every day, as he sits outside of his ...

This is Saidou Mano with all his belongings. Unlike many brown men (homeless people) I run into in Niamey, he ...

Saidou Mano is the homeless man of Recasement.  I’ve seen him for years walking around our neighborhood with his green ...

I have known Malimouhama for the past seven years. He keeps his cows in the street, outside of his home.  ...

I hesitated to make a second post about Hadjara, but she is so hilarious, that I couldn’t help myself.  Before ...

I’ve walked past Hadjara for years, always feeling a little intimidated. She typically returns my salutations with a scornful glance. Yet occasionally, ...

AHOUDAN AT THE TIMIA CASCADE:  I know I recently posted this photo, but since this is one of my favorite ...

AHOUDAN AND HIS GLASSES: For days I watched Ahoudan with this sticker on his glasses, until I finally took pity ...

THE TRADITIONAL ENERGY DRINK: In this photo, Ahoudan is sorting dates for his wife, Alhoubada. She has asked him to ...

AHOUDAN DRYING HIS PANTS: In this photo, Ahoudan and I were walking in the guelta near the village of Aouderas ...

MY FATHER, THE VISIONARY:  In this photo, my father, Michael Kirtley, is dressed as a Touareg, and sits contemplating the ...

AHOUDAN, MY TOUAREG FATHER: Ahoudan is someone that if you continue to follow me, you will learn to know him ...

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

ALHASSAN: In this photo, one of my best friends, Alhassan, watches his son adoringly as he takes a nap.  Alhassan ...