ABOUT
"I write-down to speak-up" -Michael Asante jr.
Lill Tsehai Salole is an author, currently based in Oslo, Norway.
She holds an MA in Developmental and Cross-Cultural Psychology, is an IB Alumna, and has studied Theatre, Literature and Dance Movement Therapy. Born in London, into a family with a long migrant history, and raised and educated in 6 countries, she identifies as a "global nomad".
Lill writes academic texts and nonfiction, as well as poetry, plays, and feature stories. She often builds on documentary and biographical material. Her publications have been predominantly in Norwegian. On this site you will find some pieces which have been translated into, or published in, English.
Salole explores themes of belonging, identity, childhood and parenthood within a minority and migrant context. Her field of interest is examining life experiences of Cross-Cultural Kids (CCKs), Third Culture Kids (TCKs), Parachute Kids, and Distant Families. "Cross Cultural Kids" are children and youth who move internationally, who grow up in families with a history of migration, who are of indigenious descent or national minorities, who are internationally adopted, or whose parents have different nationalities. "Thirds Culture Kids" are children who periodically live outside of their passport countries due to parents work and occupation. "Parachute Kids" are children and youth sent to live on other countries on their own for the purpose of education. "Distant families" are families in which members live in different countries.
Salole has a passion for language and stories as a tool for change. She has worked for several organisations within both the governmental and non-governmental sector, as well as with social entrepreneurs, non-profits and foundations. In recent years she has focused on her writing, as well as editorial, content and concept work. In addition to her own books, she has developed resource material, online and printed. She continues to contribute to the production of articles, books and anthologies, academic pieces, films, stage performances, podcasts, series and manuscripts in her field. She also serves as a reader for publishers and other writers.
Lill Tsehai has broad experience in public speaking , and regularly teaches different groups of professionals and student groups. Additionally, she creates and holds workshops for groups of children, young adults and parents who move internationally. Central themes for these sessions are identity and belonging, the liminal and marginal space, migration stress and transnational lives, the psychology of discrimination, racism and exclusion, and the power of storytelling, visibility and voice. Lill does book and poetry readings, and often uses elements of poetry and performance in her lectures.
Lill currently serves on the board of The Scheibler Foundation. She is a former board member for The Norwegian Institute for Children's Books.
Illustration: Marie Laland Ekeli
