Gaza’s junior car mechanics

Gaza’s junior car mechanics

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Mohammed Jundeya is a 17-year-old Palestinian boy who left school to become an apprentice in a car repair garage and make some money to help support his family.

Trainee mechanics like him earn around $100 per month according to garage owners, a wage that does not go that far in Gaza, where the prices of food and other basics have risen steeply. Mohammed gives $50 to his family and keeps the rest as his allowance.

. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Eighteen-year-old Palestinian Ali al-Batniji is another apprentice in the same garage as Mohammed.

He has seven sisters but no brothers, and his father is a farmer who does not make enough money to support them all, so Ali became an apprentice in order to help out with the family income.

. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Mohammed Yassin, 18, is a trainee in a different garage along with two of his cousins, and the three of them hope to be able to establish their own car repair centre some day.

Most of the young apprentices left school at around 15 to begin their training, which may last about six years depending on how fast they learn.

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Slideshow

Mohammed Jundeya works in a car repair garage in Gaza City.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Mohammed Jundeya works in a car repair garage in Gaza City.

His fellow apprentice Ali al-Batniji poses for a photograph.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

His fellow apprentice Ali al-Batniji poses for a photograph.

Eighteen-year-old Ali is reflected in a mirror as he works.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Eighteen-year-old Ali is reflected in a mirror as he works.

Seventeen-year-old apprentice Shadi Yassin poses for a picture.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Seventeen-year-old apprentice Shadi Yassin poses for a picture.

He lies on his back as he carries out a task.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

He lies on his back as he carries out a task.

Shadi's relative, 17-year-old apprentice Tamer Yassin, poses for a photograph.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Shadi's relative, 17-year-old apprentice Tamer Yassin, poses for a photograph.

Tamer works in the garage.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Tamer works in the garage.

His cousin, Mohammed Yassin, 18, works on a vehicle.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

His cousin, Mohammed Yassin, 18, works on a vehicle.

Eighteen-year-old apprentice Abed al-Majeed Reheem poses for a picture.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Eighteen-year-old apprentice Abed al-Majeed Reheem poses for a picture.

Sparks fly in the garage where he works.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Sparks fly in the garage where he works.

Vehicle parts stand piled up in front of him.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Vehicle parts stand piled up in front of him.

He works in the garage.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

He works in the garage.

Light shines on Mohammed Jundeya's face.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Light shines on Mohammed Jundeya's face.

His hand glistens with oil as he reaches out for his tools.
. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

His hand glistens with oil as he reaches out for his tools.