Goanny

"I think that the World Cup is nice for the country. Now a lot of people from all around the world are coming here and that is good. I would like to watch a game of Brazil vs. Portugal. I like Cristiano Ronaldo so much... but for me it's impossible to buy a ticket. 140 rands (15 Euros) is too expensive. Maybe it is a good price for many people from this country but I don't have work and without it... it's difficult to get money. If I could earn some I would go and see one game in Soccer City. I will have fun with all my friends making noise with our vuvuzelas".
Name: Goanny
Age: 22
Ethnicity: Xhosa
Occupation: Unemployed
Soweto, Johannesburg. June 20, 2010

© Jonathan González / Babel Images

Survivor

"I'm a survivor, I always know how I have to move...for that during the times of Apartheid, me and my family went ot Tanzania to try to be well, without problem. When the Apartheid fell I came back here, to my home, my neighborhood. I was born here, where also Nelson Mandela and archbishop Desmond Tutu. I'm happy to live here and now I help my neighborhood taking your garbage and recycling. I'm my own boss. 
The FIFA World Cup is ok, it's good for our country but it's also too dirty. Look behind me, everybody drink a lot and then I have to take your garbage... but that's my work. 
I would like to see Bafana Bafana playing against Brazil or Spain. Everything is possible right now... maybe in quarter finals... why not?."
Name: M'Zoly Mxalika
Ethnicity: Zulu
Born in: Orlando East (Soweto)
Age: 50
Education: non
Soweto, Johannesburg. June 16, 2010


© Jonathan González / Babel Images

Monsoon

1 US Dollar - 50 Rupees

Average monthly wage of an uneducated worker in Kolkata - 2000 Rupees

1 liter of the local moonshine and the first monsoon shower after the sweltering summer - priceless

© Aleksander Bochenek / Babel Images

Sleeping on the street

Homeless street child sleeping in early morning on a sidewalk of one of the most touristic streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia (31.07.2009).

It is hard to estimate the number of street children in Phnom Penh as they are very mobile and often move from place to place. Some sources say it is two thousand, other say it's much higher. Aged from four to seventeen they are hugely vulnerable to all kinds of exploitation, abuses, drugs use and gang activities. Money they collect from tourists goes mainly to other people, what leaves them in extreme poverty and "no way out" situation.

© Grzegorz Ostręga / Babel Images