Timor-Leste is one of the poorest nations in the world. Many children are not able to afford school, particularly beyond primary school. Young teenagers leave home in remote districts to seek a wage in the capital, Dili.

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Boys wait to be paid; half a dozen of them work for a family owned business that sells snacks in the neighbourhood. The boys push barrows all day to sell the snacks for 5 cents each. They earn USD30 a month.  Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2

Boys wait to be paid; half a dozen of them work for a family owned business that sells snacks in the neighbourhood. The boys push barrows all day to sell the snacks for 5 cents each. They earn USD30 a month. 
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

Boys selling snacks wait for recess outside a private kindergarten in west Dili. Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

Boys selling snacks wait for recess outside a private kindergarten in west Dili.
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

Boys who work for a family street vendor business sleep in the early morning before rising to start preparing the day's snacks.   Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

Boys who work for a family street vendor business sleep in the early morning before rising to start preparing the day's snacks.  
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

4am, a group of boys begin preparing snacks for sale by their peers, a team of teenage street vendors who will wander west Dili all day. Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

4am, a group of boys begin preparing snacks for sale by their peers, a team of teenage street vendors who will wander west Dili all day.
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A fourteen year old boy from Ermera district kicks back after peddling 'pentolang', cheap satay made out of something that was once buffalo.  Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A fourteen year old boy from Ermera district kicks back after peddling 'pentolang', cheap satay made out of something that was once buffalo. 
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

Petrol and phone cards provide a living for a small group of teenagers in Comoro.   Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

Petrol and phone cards provide a living for a small group of teenagers in Comoro.  
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A sixteen year old boy who left his family in Oecusse district to find work in Dili sells kitchen sets; he sold two dollars worth this morning. Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A sixteen year old boy who left his family in Oecusse district to find work in Dili sells kitchen sets; he sold two dollars worth this morning.
Dili, Timor-Leste, February 2006

A fifteen year old boy who left his family in Oecusse district to find work in Dili sells fried tempe to his peers.  February 2006

A fifteen year old boy who left his family in Oecusse district to find work in Dili sells fried tempe to his peers. 
February 2006

Phone card and softdrinks provide a living for two young men.  Dili, Timor-Leste, April 2006

Phone card and softdrinks provide a living for two young men. 
Dili, Timor-Leste, April 2006