Two things take precedence when selecting a sidewalk in Mexico City: sun protection and safety of police patrols in the area.

Paola 5 years old. Born from parents living in the streets, she benefits from some privilege programs for disadvantaged children that give her privileges such as free schooling.

Blankets, clothes, toys and personal belongings are put in common in this group. Only money, drugs, hygiene items and relics are jealously kept by their owners.

In the streets, sexuality is practiced without any intimacy. Ignorance and lack of money and resources propagate risk pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Many religious groups and organizations try to pacify and stimulate young people born in the streets. Here, the Juarez group is going by bus to Cuernavaca, a neighbour city, where it will be received by the Rawlings foundation.

Violence is a daily reality in those young people’s and their family’s lives, whether it’s a fight between gangs or, as you can see in this picture, intern reprisals.

Half of the group works very little or not at all. They spend most of their time idle, sniffing solvent.

On this passing street corner, Salvador Lopez washes car windshields for about 10 to 12 hours a day. When he’s finished, somebody automatically takes his place.

In order to survive, Edouardo Ramirez and two other members of the group perform demonstrations on broken glass or in the subways of Mexico City.

It has been a good day for their performances in the subways. Edouardo Ramirez and two other members of the clan will share nearly 40 Canadian dollars, enough to purchase drugs and food for a few days.

A passerby improvises some guitar chords to get the group members out of their boredom.