It is estimated that the streets of Mexico City are home to at least 14,000 children. Many migrate from outside of the city to escape unhappy homes. The capital offers the promise of a new and exciting life. Most though, find themselves entering a world of drugs, sexual exploitation, hunger, disease, danger, and death.

The Mexican government continues to promise to make the fight against poverty and homelessness a priority, but in reality, taking children off the streets is low down on a long list of social issues with which it is grappling. It is left to a few dedicated charities, which receive little or no support from the Mexican government and are mostly funded from outside the country, to do what they can for vulnerable children living on the streets of Mexico City.

The names of all the children pictured in this exhibition have been changed.

Please click on the image below to launch the slideshow:

This project was made possible with the help of the Elton John Aids Foundation and the Casa Alianza Charity. To find out more about the charity and donate, please log on to www.casa-alianza.org.uk. Please help Casa Alianza help these children by making a donation. All proceeds go to the Casa Alianza Charity.

Special thanks to Fred Shortland, all the Casa Alianza Mexico City team (especially Sophia, Illiana, Paco, David, Hugo, Miguel, Benjamin, Catia, and Saul), The British Embassy in Mexico City, Casa Alianza UK volunteers, Network Rail, Helen Sherbourne, Matt Gore, Simon Clark, Steve Forrest, Aude Barbera, Jessica Hammond, Flash Photodigital, Nimlok, iconphotos, and above all, the children who agreed to be photographed.

"The other side of the street” is exhibiting at the main concourse of London’s Victoria station from 21–27 November, 2005.