Helio Chichava, a 14-year-old from Maputo, Mozambique, showers before a Sunday meal hosted by a foreign worker from a nongovernmental organization. Photographer Mario Macilau, a Maputo native, shot photos of Helio and other children who live on the streets of the capital city.
Helio Chichava, a 14-year-old from Maputo, Mozambique, showers before a Sunday meal hosted by a foreign worker from a nongovernmental organization. Photographer Mario Macilau, a Maputo native, shot photos of Helio and other children who live on the streets of the capital city.
Mário Macilau
Two young boys sleep on a floor in a Maputo squatter settlement. Street children live as nomads, moving from one point to the next with nothing but a little bit of water and hand towels with which to wash cars.
Two young boys sleep on a floor in a Maputo squatter settlement. Street children live as nomads, moving from one point to the next with nothing but a little bit of water and hand towels with which to wash cars.
Mário Macilau
Stairs create shadows on the walls of an abandoned old building in downtown Maputo. There are no toilets, and water must be drawn from a nearby source.
Stairs create shadows on the walls of an abandoned old building in downtown Maputo. There are no toilets, and water must be drawn from a nearby source.
Mário Macilau
Police invade an abandoned building in which street children live, Macilau said.
Police invade an abandoned building in which street children live, Macilau said.
Mário Macilau
Street children hide from the rain in an abandoned old car in downtown Maputo.
Street children hide from the rain in an abandoned old car in downtown Maputo.
Mário Macilau
A 15-year-old boy smokes with his friends in Maputo.
A 15-year-old boy smokes with his friends in Maputo.
Mário Macilau
Street children generally do not believe that their identity has anything to do with the names given to them by their parents, Macilau said. When they arrive on the streets, many develop new identities that are tied to their interests and things they like. "My name is Cowboy because I like to dress like cowboys," said this 14-year-old. "I know my hat is different from the ones they wear, but I try my best to be like them with what I can get."
Street children generally do not believe that their identity has anything to do with the names given to them by their parents, Macilau said. When they arrive on the streets, many develop new identities that are tied to their interests and things they like. "My name is Cowboy because I like to dress like cowboys," said this 14-year-old. "I know my hat is different from the ones they wear, but I try my best to be like them with what I can get."
Mário Macilau
A child plays soccer in his home in the abandoned Vila Algarve building.
A child plays soccer in his home in the abandoned Vila Algarve building.
Mário Macilau
Emilio Maluleke, 14, sits in the abandoned building where he stays in downtown Maputo.
Emilio Maluleke, 14, sits in the abandoned building where he stays in downtown Maputo.
Mário Macilau
Humberto Zunguza, 13, dons a costume inside his home in an abandoned building in Maputo's Polana district. He is trying to imitate the lead character of the Chinese action movie "Ninja Assassin."
Humberto Zunguza, 13, dons a costume inside his home in an abandoned building in Maputo's Polana district. He is trying to imitate the lead character of the Chinese action movie "Ninja Assassin."
Mário Macilau