Media centre

Friday 18 Nov 2005

MEDIA INVITATION: EXHIBITION OPENING – ‘THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET’

Region & Route:

National

Date:                           Monday 21 November 2005 Time:                          10am Location:                    East concourse (platforms 9-16), London Victoria Station Event:                         Opening of ‘The Other Side of the Street’ (a Robin Hammond photographic exhibition) Media contact:          Mel Varcoe, 020 7557 8105  Passengers at London Victoria are set to come face to face with the harsh reality of life as a street child in Mexico City.  Photos, commissioned by the charity Casa Alianza, highlighting the dangers for the 20,000 homeless children of Mexico City, will go on display at the station on Monday 21 November.  Casa Alianza is a charity set up to help street children in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico City. The children are drawn to the city in search of a better life but most end up sinking into a world of drugs, sexual exploitation, hunger, disease, danger and death. Fred Shortland, Director, Casa Alianza UK said: “We provide support and assistance to more than 12,000 children every year through our team of ‘Street Educators’.  We interact with the children, engaging them by playing games and distracting them away from drugs and the world they know, while educating them about the dangers of HIV and drug abuse.” Robin Hammond, commissioning photographer, added: “The images I have captured show the reality faced by the children of Mexico City and why it is so important to bring their plight and the work of Casa Alianza to the world’s attention.” Network Rail has donated commercial space at London Victoria Station to Casa Alianza for the duration of the exhibition.