In Their Own Words: Britney McIntosh

Needing to make money for food, Santiago Chimbo, right, is anxious as he waits for his friend, before hitting the streets of Quito to shine shoes. (Britany McIntosh)

My five a.m. alarm came way too early and I groaned at the thought of getting out of bed at the butt crack of dawn to go roam the streets with kids I only understand half of the time. But as I look back on this morning, I firmly believe it was by far one of the most eye opening experiences of my life. And I owe all that to a 7-year- old boy named Santiago Chimbo.

My NGO, el Centro del Muchachos Trabajador, works with boys, and their families, in poverty that must work in the streets to make money. The boys go out into the streets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This was my first morning to go out with them, but when I caught sight of Santiago I knew he was the boy I would follow. When I first saw him, he was sitting by his locker in a coverall jumpsuit, covered in grease and nothing but serious. He was all business, leaving 20 minutes earlier than most of the other boys to hit the streets and make money.

As corny as it sounds,I left a piece of my heart today on the streets of Quito; in the alleys where I was chasing little boys who were searching for any chance to make a quarter. “I like working so I can make money to eat,” Santiago said. When I was seven, I was happy when my mom let me ride my bike 3 blocks away. What a striking difference it was to be in the shoes of someone who was 7 going on thirty. It’s an amazing gift we’ve been given, photojournalism. The ability to live and document life experiences that many people will never see, understand or be given the chance to appreciate and grow from. And I feel nothing but blessed that a 7 year old taught me that life lesson today.