Under the streets of Ulaan Baatar, the coldest capital city in the world, many children struggle to survive the bitter winter. Munkhbat & Altangeret are both 15 and have lived in a manhole together for over 3 years.

A tough, lonely existence, violence from drunken adults and other street children is ever present and their daily preoccupations are food and warmth. Forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents, they still hope and strive for a better future.

Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) have lived down this manhole in Unur district of Ulaan Baatar for over 3 years. Violence is commonplace and their manhole has been petrol bombed by rival street children 3 times in the last few years.

They live in the manholes that provides the city with hot water. Incredibly hot and humid inside it attracts a mass of flies and other bugs. They say this is one of the worst things about living in these conditions. They are constantly at risk of the super heated pipes bursting and regularly get burns from touching them.

Altangeret (15) left home at 12 years old after his father died and his stepmother sold everything and moved to Korea. He found this particular hole soon after arriving and decided to stay.

Altangeret looks out of the manhole. Despite the harsh living conditions they haven't succumbed to drinking the cheap vodka like many other street children.

Munkhbat (L) left home at 12 after his father died and his new step dad drank heavily and started beating him. He occasionally talks to his mum on the phone but doesn't tell her what situation he is living in.

Munkhbat & Altangeret check out a rubbish shed. By collecting used bottles and anything else sellable they are able to buy just enough food for the day. They have to collect over 100 bottles to make just 1$.

Altangeret looks for bottles in a rubbish shed. He was in school getting good grades until his stepmother abandoned him.

Altangeret continues his search for empty bottles to sell to get by each day. In summer work can be found on construction sites but they close during the winter months.

Munkhbat changes the date on his watch. Apart from the clothes he is wearing this is his only possession in life. They are sometimes joined by other street children in their hole for a few days like Dulguun (11).

Altangeret and his friend play with a chain he was given as a gift over a year ago. Like Munkhbat this is the only possession he has. Their dirt ingrained hands belie there young age.

Twice a day they run from rubbish dumps to bins in search of sellable items in the local area, spending as little time outside in the freezing conditions as possible.

Altangeret cues up and Munkhbat watches as they play pool. One of the few escapes from their reality of living on the streets it costs a $1 an hour. Not only do they have fun but keep warm.

Running back to their manhole through a freezing snow storm after another day on the streets. The temperature this evening was at least -30c.

Another day over, they lower themselves into their manhole during a snowstorm.

Dust falls through the manhole as people walk over them, mostly oblivious to their existence. They are extremely sensitive to any new sound or movement as this often means trouble and possible violence.

Munkhbat & Altangeret get some sleep. Despite the freezing temperatures outside, the manholes can become unbearably hot inside. The favoured position is just above the entrance allowing cool air to drift in.