Niger is a country located in the heartland of the Sahel region, known mainly for being mistaken for Nigeria. It's one of the poorest countries in the world. Growing up in Niger is not easy. The journey from a mother's womb to the vulnerable adolescent years is fraught with risk and challenges. To be a mother in Niger is not easy either. Girls at the age of 13 give birth to their first child and are often victims of domestic violence. I took pictures in medical centers and villages located in the Maradi region in west Niger. They are part of a campaign which I made in cooperation with Unicef.