Do I earn less or learn less?

Marvin shines shoes. If he works all day, starting at 5.30am, he can earn about £5.45.

This money really helps his family. It means that his mother can buy food for his two brothers and three sisters. But Marvin has dreams. He enjoys his job but he'd really like to own a sewing machine and become a tailor.

These dreams could come true for Marvin. Christian Aid gives money to the Support Centre for Working Children in Matagalpa, the city where Marvin lives. There he can go to free classes where he'll learn to sew by hand and using a machine.

But Marvin has to keep his side of the bargain. In return for the sewing classes he must agree to go to school in the afternoons and only work in the mornings. This is a pretty tough decision to make as he'll earn much less money. But Marvin knows it's important to be able to read and write, and has decided to go to school. So he's making his dreams come true.

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Christian Aid/Mike Goldwater/Network

Marvin is also helping to build new houses for people whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Mitch

Christian Aid/Mike Goldwater/Network

'I love working and being able to support myself, but what's great is that I'm learning a trade for my future,' says Marvin.