Project: Slum Kids Push Themselves to Create a Brighter Future

The world's least developed countries have the youngest population. Almost half the inhabitants in these countries are younger than 15 years old. And while many western countries display negative birth rates, most developing nations are experiencing a sharp population increase.

The number of people in less developed regions is expected to rise from 5.3 billion today to 7.8 billion in 2050. Causing more and more children to see the light of day as slum dwellers. With such a harsh outlook it is hard to imagine that children can rise out of poverty.

But some children, who are seemingly stuck in these destitute situations, dream a way out of them. VJ Cristian Maldonado meets Carlitos in Argentina. Carlitos' hard working parents manage to give their son an education and a sense of ambition. He dreams of studying political sciences and one day becoming Argentina's next president.

I worked as a cardboard collector and I also studied. And in sixth grade, I was made as the standard-bearer of my school - Carlitos, shanty town inhabitant, Argentina

In India Sangita Singh is a reporter in her slum. VJ Linda Blake talks to the 11-year old journalist who sees it as her role to educate the children in her slum about hygiene.

And in Rio de Janeiro Raphael Durao and Chantal James spent a day with Geisiel. He escaped from the favelas of Rio and now works to provide for his young family.

A picture speaks a thousand words. And that is exactly what Eray Özbek, Talal Nayer and Alfredo Sábat cartoons do.

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