Julio Landaca Viti, Angola "It isn't comfortable for me or easy because I have only one leg"

Julio Landaca Viti is a 32-year old former soldier from Bie province, in the central highlands. He lost his leg in a bomb attack in 1994. He now lives with his partner and two sons in the poor suburb of Viana, about 15 km from Luanda. He tries to earn a living selling telephone, television and computer accessories on the street.

"I was a teacher in Bie province and now I'm here trying to make business. I fled Bie because of the war in 1996. I was a soldier and during the fighting we were bombed. It fell right where me and my colleagues were sitting. Many, many of my colleagues died and a lot more were injured, much worse than me. I became a teacher but I couldn't continue teaching because the fighting was getting worse and worse. It was just impossible. I was afraid, everyone was afraid, so I came to Luanda.

Things have improved here. I have my business here and I'm building a little hut in Viana. It's not much but it is a home for me and my family. I'm living with my girlfriend and my two boys - they are three years old and eight months old - so I'm very happy. I feel very lucky because some people have no family left at all.

Now I want to improve my education. Since 1996 I haven't improved my studies at all. But my big problem is that I can't get around, there is so little transport. Viana is very far from here. If I could get transport life would be a lot better for me. Maybe I could work. I'm intelligent, I have some education, only transport is missing. This morning I came here with the bus and a taxi but it was very, very late and so crowded. It isn't comfortable for me or easy because I have only one leg, but the real problem is that it takes so long. To be here for 8.30 I have to get up at five o'clock. I came here to make business. I buy and sell phone accessories, spare parts for radios and television, and some computer accessories.

Most of the time I forget that I am handicapped. There are so many people like me that you cannot think you are something special. Now I am just a man trying to earn money to feed my family, to hold my family together. Maybe in the next few months I will try to take a course in computers. Some of the people I meet in my work may be able to help me. Of course it will be expensive. Any kind of study in Angola is expensive, but for me, transport is the biggest problem. I have almost saved enough money, but it will be a total waste if I arrive late for my lessons."