Seb Toussaint

Tahar – 25 years old – chose the word مرح (pronounced “Marah” and meaning “joy” in Arabic).

Whatever problems he might face in life, the joy that his family and friends bring to him makes his life beautiful.
Here in the slum everyone knows each-other, people go round to other people’s houses all the time for tea and long chats in the shade.
The wooden shacks and sandy ground paved with plastic bags and all sorts of rubbish give a sad impression at first sight. But you quickly realise how joyful and alive this place is with all the social interaction going in.

Maryam – 15 years old – chose the word بارة (pronounced « barah »). There isn’t a word for it in English, but it means « gratefulness towards one’s parents ». Painted in the slum of Zaatar, Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Maryam – 15 years old – chose the word بارة (pronounced « barah »).

There isn’t a word for it in English, but it means « gratefulness towards one’s parents ». Despite harsh living conditions in the slum, her parents have always done their best for her. Maryam wants to be a good daughter in return.

I painted the word in the squared kufic script, and chose not to paint the entire background. I love the look of these wooden barracks built with pallet wood, so I though I’d use them as a background.

Ali – 25 years old – chose the word المستقبل (pronounced “Almistaqbal” and meaning “future” in Arabic). Painted in the slum of Zaatar, Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Ali – 25 years old – chose the word المستقبل (pronounced “Almistaqbal” and meaning “future” in Arabic).

Ali hopes for a bright future but is worried because his family – and everyone else – live here illegally. At any moment the municipality can evict them and make them homeless.

Maryam chose the word السعادة (“happiness” in Arabic). Painted in the slum of Zaatar, Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Maryam – 42 years old – chose the word السعادة (pronounced “Assaadah” and meaning “Happiness” in Arabic).

Maryam’s parents left their village for a better life in the capital city and ended up living here in the slum of Zaatar. Today Maryam is bringing up her children here and is always seeking happiness.

Ahmed chose the word نور (“light” in Arabic). Painted in the slum of Zaatar, Nouakchott, Mauritania. 

Ahmed – 54 years old – chose the word نور (pronounced “nur” and meaning “light” in Arabic).

He told me it’s his favourite word, it makes him think of the stars and of god who brings light to the world.

Here’s the team!

I’m painting here in Mauritania with my friend Dudu (left) who’s on his 10th episode of #ShareTheWordProject . He’s known in slums around the world for his acute precision, his organisation, his amazing arithmetics and dealing with drunken gang members.

I’m also with my brother عبد المالك / Abdul Malek (right), who’s on his 5th episode of the project. His strengths are his energy, his capacity to stay calm in any situation, his extraordinary enthusiasm and his fist fighting skills that have thankfully never come in handy until this day.