Young Congolese

Here is Fisenou. He is a Congolese refugee who left Congo when he was very young. He came to Mauritania with his 2 older sisters, his twin, his older brother and an older cousin. His parents and smaller siblings are still in Congo. His oldest sister told me they fled the war but I doubt Fisenou realizes the situation he's in. He can be deported at any time.

Happy Face

Souleymane is a French instructor for 5th grade girls. He is also Soninke, the ethnic group that I study and work with in Mauritania. He taught me his language for 3 intensive months of training. Good man!

Gory

My first village in Mauritania. Gory is uniquely Soninke but share a market with their neighbor Djeol, a Pulaar/Fulani village. Basic interactions in the market were difficult for me at first. People speak a minimum of 4 different languages, all of which are required to buy in the market. You might have a Moor lady who only speaks a dialect of Arabic. Or a Soninke lady who only speaks her language. The same for Pulaar/Fulani speakers, French speakers and Arabic speakers. Needless to say, I was literally crazy my first few months in country!

Sentiments

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