Le Journal de la Photographie

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

Zmâla : Stigmat Photo Two things take precedence when selecting a sidewalk in Mexico City: sun protection and safety of police patrols in the area. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo 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. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo 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. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo In the streets, sexuality is practiced without any intimacy. Ignorance and lack of money and resources propagate risk pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo 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. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo 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. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo Half of the group works very little or not at all. They spend most of their time idle, sniffing solvent. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo 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. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo 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. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo 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. Zmâla : Stigmat Photo A passerby improvises some guitar chords to get the group members out of their boredom.