The child slaves of Saudi Arabia

On the wealthy streets of Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, thousands of young child-beggars, undr the auspices of ruthless gangmasters, are simply trying to survive.

Many hail from countries like Yemen which, despite bordering one of the Middle East's richest states, is a world away in terms of economic prosperity.

These children are often sold by families who are either duped into believing their offspring will get a better life or sometimes simply threatened.

Once in the country, they are likely to face beatings and are sometimes even mutilated as their Dickensian masters stoop to any low to try to improve the chances of them earning more money.