CAIRO BOY DREAMING TO BE A DOCTOR

    In Cairo, in a bustling street, a driver stopped his car to buy cigarettes.

    A boy rushed to wipe the car skillfully, while nimbly dodging other cars racing past, his hands running a dust cloth from the window to the door.

    He was paid 0.25 Egyptian pounds (0.05 U.S. dollar). This sum can buy almost nothing in Egypt. "It's better than nothing," Ahmad said with a smile.

    Ahmad, a six-grade boy, spent all his time outside of class on the streets earning some pocket money for his mother, who has been the backbone of the family with four children since their father died of illness last year.

    Ahmed, 12, never visited Cairo's world-renowned pyramid across the Nile River.

    Poverty kept him from crossing the river, but could not hold him back from dreaming to be a doctor. "I wish to be a doctor, and I can cure the diseases of my family members and the poor people," the boy declared.

    CAMEROON GIRL, BREADWINNER OF FAMILY

    Compared with Opoka and Ahmed, Josyane Quemajoux is fortunate since both of her parents are still alive. Nevertheless, the Cameroon girl cannot lead a life of leisure.

    Her father had been a taxi driver before his car broke down two years ago. Now he is jobless.

    The 11-year-old girl, together with her mother, is the family's only breadwinner.

    Each afternoon after class, Josyane hurries to the Mokolo market in the capital city of Yaounde, where her mother owns a fruit stall.

    Josyane stays there until dark while her mother goes back home to take care of her younger siblings.

    "A hundred CFA francs (0.2 dollars) for the large (orange), 60 for the small," Josyane told a customer while quickly picking up an orange and then deftly peeling it.

    "Such a stall can bring us 1,000 francs every day, almost the same with selling bananas, ... grilled fish can earn more, but its cost is high; mom does not have so much money," Josyane, an astute little businesswoman, explained.

    The West African girl assumes the responsibility for her family, but has no future plans of her own. "Many of my classmates are just like me. I don't know what the life will be in the future."

Special Report: Global News Day for Children