We never planned to live like that, later, as it happened, we became refugees and ended up internally displaced in what would have otherwise seemed l… - Sada Mire

My professors also said that I should be a model, and not think about a PhD. It always irritated me. There are more important things in life than beauty. I had other plans, I wanted to get an education and help people. I became an archaeologist to study the history of Africa before colonialism and the slave trade. But many of my friends thought I was stupid because I rejected the opportunity to earn a lot of money.

It was an incredible feeling just to stand in front of the paintings. Then I lay down to take photos and heard a snake breathing in my ear. My assistant told me he was thinking how he would cut off my arm, leg, or wherever to stop the poison if it attacked. I believe he would have done it. I didn’t tell my mother.

A Somali woman in trousers, boots and with men is a strange sight for them. And a woman leading a team of men is something absolutely unacceptable. Some are happy to see it, but they wouldn't want their daughters to do it.