Tuesday November 8, 2005, Aru, ituri, Drc

militia disarmament

Former FLAPC militia gun men wait to hand their weapons to the United Nations in Aru, Ituri region of Eastrern DRC on April the 13th 2005. a group of more than 200 militias disarm every day in the Aru DDR (Disarmament demobilization reintegration) site under the supervision of the UNDP ( united nations development program). most of these men are belonging to the FLAPC milita group.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Monday March 5, 2007, Accra, Ghana

Ghanaians celebrate 50 years of independence

Ghanaians celebrated the 50th anniversary of their country's independence from Britain. Thousands gathered in the street at Independence Square carrying flags and wearing Ghana's colors; red, green and yellow with a black star in the center. Ghanaian President John Kufuor spoke before the parade and welcomed civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz to the ceremonies.

Jacqueline, 17, shows her colorful hair while awaiting the parade for the 50th anniversary Ghana's independence.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday March 21, 2007, Monrovia, Liberia

Former Liberian child soldiers hustle to live

Former Liberian child soldiers band together after the last round was fired at the end of the civil war in Liberia. The children are now in their 20's and are unemployed. Many youths have become idle drug users who live on the street and hustle to put food in their stomachs. Others lift weights in improvised gyms to fight chronic depression. Drugs are sold and used to help the youth forget about their tragic lives.

Joanette, 22, right after inhaling "brown brown", a mixture between cocaine and gunpowder.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday June 6, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

Aibaneesh, 15, is part of a group of homeless young girls who sell onions and bananas collected from the garbage bins of Addis Ababa's wholesale fruit market. The girls live on the streets, begging for food from nearby restaurants and eating customers' leftovers.

Aibaneesh, 15 years old part of a group of young girls, all homeless that sell onions and bananas collected from the garbage bins of Addis Ababa's whole sale fruit market on Wednesday June 06 2007. all of them live on the street. they beg for food from nearby restaurants eating the customer's left overs. when they collect the 20 US cents necessary for a corner in a private dorm they are able to sleep indoors.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Tuesday June 5, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

An older child takes care of an infant while constructing a necklace at the female dorms of an orphange located in the outskirts of Addis Ababa.

a young guest of a small orphanage is taken care in the early afternoon by an older guest while she works on a neckless in the female dorms of the orphanage in the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Tuesday June 05 2007.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Tuesday March 20, 2007, Monrovia, Liberia

Former Liberian child soldiers hustle to live

Former Liberian child soldiers band together after the last round was fired at the end of the civil war in Liberia. The children are now in their 20's and are unemployed. Many youths have become idle drug users who live on the street and hustle to put food in their stomachs. Others lift weights in improvised gyms to fight chronic depression. Drugs are sold and used to help the youth forget about their tragic lives.

Nimley, 26, trains his biceps while lifting weights in his neighborhood improvised gym.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Monday June 5, 2006, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

HIV AIDS in Ethiopia

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday March 21, 2007, Monrovia, Liberia

First female contingent takes part in UNMIL peacekeeping mission in Liberia

103 Indian police personnel were specially selected to take part in the UNMIL peacekeeping mission in Liberia for an initial deployment of six months. They are the first contingent entirely formed by women in the history of the United Nations Peacekeeping. Their mission in the country is to provide fire support to the unarmed Liberian security forces. In india these women distinguish themselves by operating in the most troubled areas of the country taking part in counter insurgency and crowd control special operations.

An Indian female Peacekeeper from the Indian FPU works out in her compound's gym.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday February 1, 2006, Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq

praying under fire

US ARMY Chaplain Paul Halladay ( CPT) blesses the throat of Bravo company commanding officer while leading US ARMY soldiers in a catholic mass from B and A company, 1st battalion, 506th, 101st airborne division at static observation post OP TROTTER on the afternoon of Wednesday February 02 2006 in Eastern Ramadi, Iraq. Father Paul Halladay is the 1st Battalion Chaplain, living side by side with his soldiers, he provides spiritual guidance in such difficult times of war. He wrote a prayer, " The Blessing of Soldiers and their Weapons". the prayer reads, "Lord we recognize that human conflicts which result in war are never good and thus are not what you will for us, the most beloved of all your creation. Due to the sin of Adam and humanity's ongoing sinfulness, war, at times, becomes necessary to protect the innocent, free the oppressed, and restore peace. May these weapons be used for such a just purpose and bless those, Lord, who, in service to their country, are called upon to wield them. Protect them and keep them safe from all spiritual and mortal harm in performing what protection of the innocent, freedom for the oppressed and the restoration of peace requires of them. Amen!".

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday March 7, 2007, Accra, Ghana

Ghanaians celebrate 50 years of independence

Ghanaians celebrated the 50th anniversary of their country's independence from Britain. Thousands gathered in the street at Independence Square carrying flags and wearing Ghana's colors; red, green and yellow with a black star in the center. Ghanaian President John Kufuor spoke before the parade and welcomed civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz to the ceremonies.

A Ghanaian girl dances while celebrating Ghana's 50th anniversary of their countries' independence.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday March 21, 2007, Monrovia, Liberia

First female contingent takes part in UNMIL peacekeeping mission in Liberia

103 Indian police personnel were specially selected to take part in the UNMIL peacekeeping mission in Liberia for an initial deployment of six months. They are the first contingent entirely formed by women in the history of the United Nations Peacekeeping. Their mission in the country is to provide fire support to the unarmed Liberian security forces. In india these women distinguish themselves by operating in the most troubled areas of the country taking part in counter insurgency and crowd control special operations.

An Indian female Peacekeeper from the Indian FPU purchases some personal goods in the small Indian compound's PX.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday March 21, 2007, Monrovia, Liberia

Former Liberian child soldiers hustle to live

Former Liberian child soldiers band together after the last round was fired at the end of the civil war in Liberia. The children are now in their 20's and are unemployed. Many youths have become idle drug users who live on the street and hustle to put food in their stomachs. Others lift weights in improvised gyms to fight chronic depression. Drugs are sold and used to help the youth forget about their tragic lives.

Steven, 27, talks intimately with Rosetta, 22, while doing drugs.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Tuesday March 20, 2007, Monrovia, Liberia

First female contingent takes part in UNMIL peacekeeping mission in Liberia

103 Indian police personnel were specially selected to take part in the UNMIL peacekeeping mission in Liberia for an initial deployment of six months. They are the first contingent entirely formed by women in the history of the United Nations Peacekeeping. Their mission in the country is to provide fire support to the unarmed Liberian security forces. In india these women distinguish themselves by operating in the most troubled areas of the country taking part in counter insurgency and crowd control special operations.

An Indian female Peacekeeper from the Indian FPU (Formed Police Unit) prepares herself in her compound to go on patrol.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday March 21, 2007, Monrovia, Liberia

Former Liberian child soldiers hustle to live

Former Liberian child soldiers band together after the last round was fired at the end of the civil war in Liberia. The children are now in their 20's and are unemployed. Many youths have become idle drug users who live on the street and hustle to put food in their stomachs. Others lift weights in improvised gyms to fight chronic depression. Drugs are sold and used to help the youth forget about their tragic lives.

Melvin, 29, prepares a marijuana cigarette while his two friends watch him .

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Saturday June 9, 2007, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Life on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti rail line

Passengers disembark from a train at the Dire Dawa station and line up to go through custom checks on the railway that connects Addis Ababa to Djibouti.

Life along the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway line.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Saturday June 9, 2007, Ethiopia

Life on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti rail line

A young girl stands beside a wooden fence running along the tracks of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway line.

Life along the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway line.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Saturday June 9, 2007, Ethiopia

Life on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti rail line

A vendor sells Khat, a plant chewed by Ethiopians as a drug, while traveling in a car along the Addis Abbaba-Djibouti railway line.

A vendor sells Khat in a railroad car traveling along the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway line.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Friday June 8, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Life on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti rail line

A woman prepares her luggage while getting ready to set off on the Addis Abbab-Djibouti railway line.

Life along the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway line.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday June 6, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

A group of homeless young girls sell onions and bananas collected from the garbage bins of Addis Ababa's wholesale fruit market. All three girls live on the streets, begging for food from nearby restaurants and eating customers' leftovers.

a group of young girls, all homelless sell onions and bananas collected from the garbage bins of Addis Ababa's whole sale fruit market on Wednesday June 06 2007. all of them live on the street. they beg for food from nearby restaurants eating the customer's left overs. when they collect the 20 US cents necessary for a corner in a private dorm they are able to sleep indoors.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Wednesday June 6, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

Two sisters chat by candlelight in their makeshift shelter after a long day of work as assistant maids for a middle class Ethiopian family.

Two sisters, talk in their shack after a long day of work as assistant maids for middle class ethiopians in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday July 06 2007.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Tuesday June 5, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

A young boy plays on a slide at an orphanage located in the outskirts of Addis Ababa.

a young guest of a small orphanage prepares to come down a slide in the orphanage's play ground in the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Tuesday June 05 2007.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Tuesday June 5, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

Children play a game of soccer outside an orphanage in the outskirts of Addis Ababa.

two young guest of a small orphanage play soccer in the orphanage's play ground in the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Tuesday June 05 2007.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Tuesday May 29, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

Yerus, 16, washes clothes for local customers using a city water spillway in Addis Ababa.

Yerus, 16 washes clothes for local customers using spills from the city's water system in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Tuesday May 29 2007. Marta works until guards and police officers let her stand on the side of the road, being an exclusive area of the city, just a few hundred yards from the UN ECA's ( United Nation Commission for Africa ) Head Quarters.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Tuesday May 29, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

Marta, 13, sells tissues for five US cents a packet on one of Addis Ababas' main streets. At the end of the day, the young girl divides her profits with family members. Like many other children, Marta'z education is neglected as a result of the need to work.

Marta, 13, sells tissues for a 5 US cents per pack profit on one of the main streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday June 04 2007. Rahel,at the end of the day, will have to divide he profit with the rest of her family. like many other children Rahel's education is neglected by her family that forces her to work daily on the streets. NAME AND AGE OF THE CHILD WERE FICTIONALIZED TO PROTECT HER IDENTITY.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Tuesday March 20, 2007, Monrovia, Liberia

First female contingent takes part in UNMIL peacekeeping mission in Liberia

103 Indian police personnel were specially selected to take part in the UNMIL peacekeeping mission in Liberia for an initial deployment of six months. They are the first contingent entirely formed by women in the history of the United Nations Peacekeeping. Their mission in the country is to provide fire support to the unarmed Liberian security forces. In india these women distinguish themselves by operating in the most troubled areas of the country taking part in counter insurgency and crowd control special operations.

An Indian female Peacekeeper from the Indian FPU (Formed Police Unit) prepares a mixed salad for her comrades in her compound.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Saturday May 26, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

Homeless teenagers transport garbage using a small wagon. These children live under a bridge that crosses a small polluted river in Addis Ababa. All of them work transporting garbage from hotels and other business. Children engaged in this sort of work earn an average of $10 every month. Ironically, their homemade shelter is just 100 yards from USAID's Ethiopian headquarters.

homeless teen agers transport garbage with a small wagon in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday May 26th 07. Several Kids live under a bridge that crosses a small river polluted by the city's industries. all of them transport garbage from hotels and businesses to large metal containers where other contractors use trucks to transport the garbage to enormous dumpsters in the capital's outskirts. the handful of kids that live under the bridge average about the equivalent of 10 USD a month each. ironically their shelter is just one hundred yards away from USAID's headquarters in Ethiopia. USAID is the government agency providing US economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Saturday May 26, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

Haiile Giorgis, 18, and Biniam, 15, get ready for a day's work transporting garbage in a small wagon. Several children live under this bridge that crosses a small polluted river in Addis Ababa. All of them work transporting garbage from hotels and other business. Children engaged in this sort of work earn an average of $10 every month. Ironically, their homemade shelter is just 100 yards from USAID's Ethiopian headquarters.

Haile Giorgis 18 ( on Left ) and Biniam 15 ( on right ), get ready to go to work transporting garbage with a small wagon in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday May 26th 07. Several Kids live under a bridge that crosses a small river polluted by the city's industries. all of them transport garbage from hotels and businesses to large metal containers where other contractors use trucks to transport the garbage to enormous dumpsters in the capital's outskirts. the handful of kids that live under the bridge average about the equivalent of 10 USD a month each. ironically their shelter is just one hundred yards away from USAID's headquarters in Ethiopia. USAID is the government agency providing US economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Thursday May 24, 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Street children of Addis Ababa

Yacob and Mesfin enter their makeshift shelters in Addis Ababa. Mesfin lived with another five friends in shelters made from unused sewage pipes just off Bole road, the main drag in Addis Ababa. They were all kicked out when bulldozers flattened the area to build a commercial center.

Yacob ( on left ) and Mesfin, 16 years old ( on right ) enter their shelters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Saturday March 10, 2007, Accra, Ghana

Life in Ghana sfter 50 years of independence

Ghanaians celebrated the 50th anniversary of their country's independence from Britain. Thousands gathered in the street at Independence Square carrying flags and wearing Ghana's colors; red, green and yellow with a black star in the center. Ghanaian President John Kufuor spoke before the parade and welcomed civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz to the ceremonies.

A "trokosi" religious slave wears chains around his ankles while performing a pagan traditional ritual in one of the shrines of Atito in the Volta region.

Credit: Guy Calaf / Polaris

Guy Calaf