The way children act towards difference and towards helping reveals a lot about their culture. This little girl, spunky and tough with others, was so gentle with this special needs schoolmate.

From my first day light hours in Mali, the kids crowd in an out of the frame. Sometimes I pull the trigger on a blurry photo because somewhere between the color and the curiosity, I am disarmed into taking chances. 

Our little warrior returned to a peaceful stance.

A Teacher and student: Young Muslim women of the region are attending school just as all the others and becoming teachers like this woman. Their modest dress is all their own, and many of them wear it beautifully.

The girls of the Dogon village along the Bandiagara Escarpment can watch on to learn old skills that have served them for generations, however, there is also a small school in town that is also growing to meet their needs. The little girl on the left, with her hand on her hip, still strikes me with her innate power and challenge to my camera. 

This Dogon girl was shy as the other photographers took pictures. I asked her if I could take one of her, alone. This did not sit well with some of the younger children, so this was the clearest frame we could manage. Still I love her grace and imagine she remains this way, now as an adolescent.

Maria at the center of laughter

Local girl from a more conservative household wears a lovely blue veil and matching dress.

Catching this expression and stance, made me feel like this little one would grow up to be a very serious and patient thinker.