Fragile Futures

Helle Samuelsen is Associate Professor at the Department of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen. Her research is based on more than 25 years of engagement in Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso. She has recently contributed to the book Everyday State and Democracy in Africa: Ethnographic Encounters edited by W. Adebanwi (Ohio University Press, 2022).

“This is a theoretically solid book presenting unique data and perspectives on survival strategies in a broad meaning. The focus is on the most marginalized populations of the world, outlining local, long-term trajectories of their dealing with challenges and uncertainties.” • Jónína Einarsdóttir, University of Iceland“The book is coherent and well-written and presents a clearly delimited field of study that is a relevant contribution to the literature on global public health, medical anthropology, as well as a broader field of African studies, and the anthropology of state-citizen relationships.” • Jesper Bjarnesen, The Nordic Africa Institute

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsList of AbbreviationsIntroductionChapter 1. A Family NarrativeChapter 2. Ambiguities of Child CareChapter 3. Mobilities and ImmobilitiesChapter 4. Technologies and CosmologiesChapter 5. Treatment Seeking and the Work of HopeChapter 6. The Availability LOGICChapter 7. Moments of State PresenceConclusionReferencesIndex