Children's life in a squatter camp
South Africa has been in the news for its xenophobic attitude toward foreign nationals from its neighbouring countries. Foreigners are seen to tax an already croaking social welfare system and are also taking jobs in a depressed economical cycle. An estimate of up to 5 million Zimbabweans alone entered South Africa, legally and illegally, in search of shelter and work.
The accompanying images show the children of a squatter camp where approximately 2,500 Zimbabweans, people from Lesotho and others are trying to make the best of unordinary circumstances in an abnormal South African society that is still trying to emerge from the shadow of apartheid. These are lucky children, their camp is next to a church that support them. Others are not so lucky and have become prostitutes and street children that have to make a living through crime.
Conditions and influences on these children are not always conducive toward a healthy upbringing. Young children are exposed to intoxicated revellers before 8am in the morning. Parents provide whatever shelter possible, assembled from building plastic, old carpets and any other materials that will keep away cold and rain, and which is called home. Toddlers rummage in garbage cans for interest, and sometimes trying to find something to eat.
At heart though, they are still children. They innocently look beyond their circumstances and share their friendship, love and beyond all, guiltless happiness.