Photo journal: Ethiopia shoe-shine girl

Meskerem, 12, is one of the few shoe-shine girls in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

Her mother earns about $7.50 a month collecting rubbish, which is not enough to pay for food, rent and school fees.

At first Meskerem wanted to work as a domestic servant but she was advised to try shoe-shining. She likes being self-employed.

"Shoe shining is not difficult. It is easy for me because I have the power. If I want to work I can work," she says.