Hungry in Caracas
Tucked away in a back street of Caracas, the Mother Teresa of Calcutta soup kitchen provides food for all sorts, from the unemployed and homeless, to those who have jobs but still find it difficult to make ends meet.
The centre faces its own struggles, however. Shortages of basic products have become the norm in Venezuela over the last year and finding the goods to lay on a free, daily meal has become an ever harder task.
Fernanda Bolivar buys vegetables from a street vendor close to the Mother Teresa of Calcutta soup kitchen.
She prepares food in the Mother Teresa centre.
A man grabs a bowl of food at the soup kitchen.
Ali Villalta, 58, poses for a picture at the centre. Ali, who used to be a construction worker, lives on the streets. He has been coming to the soup kitchen for over two years because he is unemployed and has no money.
Luis Mendoza, 58, used to be a soldier and worked as a telecommunications technician. He now lives on the streets. He has been having meals at the Mother Teresa centre for over two years, because he has no money and no job.
Ivan Flores, 58, lives with his family and used to be a construction worker. He has been coming to the eating centre for over three years because he has no money.
Alexis Bello, 43, was homeless for 20 years and is now living with his mother. He used to work as a shop decorator and has been eating at the centre for over 10 years.
Felix Ramirez, 67, lives with his wife and used to work as a truck driver and construction worker. He has been eating at the soup kitchen for over three years, because he says he is too old to find another job.
Marisol Gil lives with her sister and used to work as a moneylender and merchant. She says she has been having meals at the soup kitchen for over two years because she is unemployed.
German Martinez, 50, lives with his brother and used to be a construction worker. He has been eating at the soup kitchen for over two years.
Carlos Son, 60, lives alone and used to work as a plumber. He has been having meals at the Mother Teresa centre for more than a year.
Felipe Correa, 62, lives on the streets and used to work in cleaning and maintenance. He has been eating at the centre for over six months, because he spends all of his earnings on alcohol.
William Osorio, 40, is homeless and used to work as a mechanic. He has been having meals at the soup kitchen for over four years out of necessity, and because he likes the food.
Andres Prato, 66, lives in a rented room and used to be a rescue worker. He has been having meals at the Mother Teresa centre for a very long time because he says the money he earns working on the streets is not enough to buy food.
Felipe Cabral, 65, lives on the streets and used to work as a satellite television technician. He has been eating at the centre for over eight years, because he is unemployed and hungry.
Luis Rojas, 53, lives with his sick brother and used to be a sports trainer. He has been having meals at the soup kitchen for six months.
Fernando Escalona, 51, lives with his brothers. He used to be a framer, but currently works cleaning a mall. He has been coming to the soup kitchen for over four months because he cannot afford enough food.
Everson Rodriguez, 22, lives on the streets and used to be a construction worker. He has been eating at the soup kitchen for over six months. Although he makes some money keeping an eye on parked cars, he spends all of his earnings on drugs.
Fernanda Bolivar, 54, rests after serving lunch at the Mother Teresa centre. She began working at the soup kitchen after becoming so hungry herself that one day she went to a priest to ask for help. He gave her some food and a job at the eating centre.
