Alex, Angola "When I was two years old I got polio and now my legs are useless"

Alex, aged 20, has polio and cannot walk. He spends his days begging at the traffic lights at Kinaxixi square in Angola's capital, Luanda.

"I come from Huambo province. I was born well, but when I was two years old I got polio and now my legs are useless. I had to leave Huambo [in the central highlands] because of the war. I went to Bie because I wanted a better life, but in Bie it was even worse. There was so much suffering, so much. I could not stay, I could not bear it. I wanted to get a wheelchair because of my polio, but there was no chance in Bie. So I came to Luanda. I still haven't got enough money for a wheelchair so I move around using my hands. It's okay because I can move quickly.

I spend my days waiting and hoping. I wait because sometimes someone will help me. Sometimes someone will pass and if he has some money or some food, he might give me some. Businessmen in big cars sometimes give me 50 kwanza [US $1] or maybe 100 kwanza. People give me used clothes, or the ladies give me some bread or a banana. If they don't give to me, I have nothing. It is very, very difficult.

I want to begin studying next year. I have some education up to 6th year (secondary level) and I want to learn more so that maybe one day I can get a job.

I keep hoping and praying that my life will change now that there is peace [after three decades of civil war], but it hasn't changed yet. Nothing is different. It's still hard, we still have no food and no possibilities. I'm happy because I have my own family here, a new family. I have my own friends and we help each other and we make each other laugh. God knows we are here. If it is bad, or if it is getting better, it doesn't matter. We are living at least."