 There are literally thousands of little children here in Iquitos who troll the streets every day begging, selling souveniers, t-shirts, Chicklets Gum or cleaning shoes. We all know that sometimes these children can be a bit of a nuisance, but if you take the time to get to know them you will find them to be "little characters". This month we would like to introduce you to Luis Esteban Melene Garcia. Luis is 11 years old and lives in a floating house below the boulevard. He lives with his single parent mother who looks after Luis's brother and 4 sisters. Our little street kid guards motobikes on Putumayo Street and puts cardboard on the seats to keep them out of the sun. At night he sells Chiclets. Luis earns about 10 soles ($3.42) a day and this money goes to help feed the family. Luis goes to school when he can, but likes to paint when he has paper. Luis said, “I am frightened to go near the ********** Bar (name withheld) because the owner sticks needles in the street kids arms if we go too near his customers”. So if you happen to meet Luis in the street, please don't push him away like a stray dog but perhaps buy some chicklets from him and remember this. . . "There but for the good grace of God go I". |