The Urban Poverty

Just beside the tall buildings and the opulent lifestyle of the city people, are houses like these. Built on shallow waters of the city bay.

"Badjaos" they are called, or sea gypsies. They grew up living close to the sea. Their livelihood is fishing or begging for alms. They like to catch coins that people throw onto the water. They're good swimmers, obviously. But they are the ones less regarded in the society and not given so much chance to improve themselves and be given proper education.

photos taken by me in Davao, Philippines.