Dirty Face
Jan. 9, 2005: Manila, Philippines
Olympus E-1: Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/80s f/3.4 at 45.0mm iso100 with flash
I've seen this little girl growing up on the streets of Metro Manila for the past 3 years, and now her begging is getting aggressive, as is her personality - but she's basically a sweet child of the streets...she always runs up to me with hugs first.
There's little discipline from her Family (I see only her Mama present), and living & sleeping on a sidewalk all your life imparts an aggressive discipline all its own - and I don't hold it against her; I totally understand where its comming from when she acts out.
I specifically included clothes for her when we shopped for Rosa's clothing drive (posted below); she sleeps on the same street Rosa did in 2005, and I just feel powerless when I realize all that she needs, and that I can only do so much.
I have the same feelings about little Gina who sleeps not too far away on that same sidewalk (search her name here to see her images) - if these kids aren't off the streets within the next couple of years, all they'll have to look forward to is becomming victimized street violence and pimps, drug addiction and all that it entails.
I'm seeing that now, in the homeless young teens on the street - sniffing their Shaboo out of a baggie (like a cross between liquid crack & speed)
...besides turning basically good kids into aggressive drugged-out Zombies, most choose to do it because it kills off the powerfull hunger pains in their stomachs when there's no food to eat.
PJAMES