Barbelina from Peru is 11 years old. Every Saturday and Sunday she helps her big sister to sell drinks. During the week she goes to school. She likes working because she could support her family and still go to school.

Alfredo is half-orphan. His dad died during an earthquake. His mum works very hard but she does not earn enough money to buy the things they need. This means that Alfredo has to work too. He can’t go to school. Afredo carries heavy bags at the harbour.

Nantinda lives in Indonesia. Like many girls she has to work at home. She has to get water from a rather far away well. And she is responsible for the washing. And she helps her mother when she does the washing for other people.

Ricardo is polishing shoes on a square near the cathedral. His father left the family years ago. He gets 30 pence every time he polishes shoes. Ricardo charges tourists sometimes double that price.

Fatou is five and a half years old. She lives in Africa, in Mosambique. She works on a banana plantation. She has to help her parents harvest the bananas. But she earns no money. She often has to carry bananas on her head which are heavier than her.

Arturo is 14 years old. He lives in Cajamarca in Peru. Every morning at half past five he walks to a petrol station in town. He washes cars. His work is necessary for his family’s survival.