Of about 6000 homeless people living in Bucharest, an estimated 1000 are children. Many find warmth and shelter in Bucharest's system of underground canals built for heating, water and sewage pipes.
Romania's vast orphanage system was instituted during the time of Communist-era dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, who made abortions illegal.
During the early days of the post-Communist period, conditions at the orphanages reached an all-time low. All necessities were in short supply, including food and proper care.
Many children ran away when they were old enough to manage on their own in the capital city.
Twenty-five years after the Romanian Revolution, a new generation of homeless, drug-addicted youth have taken to the streets and found shelter underground.
There they live short, tragic lives, sometimes bearing children who more often than not, are taken into state custody like their parents before them.
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Mona, 19, pregnant with her second child, with her boyfriend living in Bucharest's vast system of underground canals used for heating, water and sewage pipes.
Sergiiu, 24, living under a bridge with other homeless youth. He has since given up drugs, got a job as a waiter, married and become a father.
Christina at 19. She lives with other youths in the underground sewer and heating system and takes meals at a drop in center. She died several years later.
A man reaches to bring his bag underground, through a crawlway near the entrance to the Gara de Nord train station in Bucharest. Underground is a vast complex occupied by drug addicts and homeless youth.
