Yarren Kesman, 3, peers out from the window of her Uncle's shanty as her cousin, Firat, 5, takes advantage of the weather outside their home in Istanbul, Turkey. The family lives within a squatter community of Gecekondu homes, translated as house built over night. Yarren's father, and two Uncle's work long hours to support the family of 18.

Songul Kesman, 13, and Firat Kesman, 5, wait outside the doorway as their aunt, Gulcan Kesman prepares dinner for the household.

Songul Kesman, 13, walks up the hill from her home to fetch fresh bread for a neighbor. Songul lives in a the Gecekondu community, a squatter settlement, located in the middle of one of Istanbul's most affluent areas.

Cidem Kesman foldes laundry as her son, Firat, 5, entertains himself in Besiktas, Istanbul.

Cidem Kesman nurses her infant-son, Remzi in the one-room home, she, her husband, and five children share in Istanbul, Turkey. The Kurdish family, moved to Istanbul several years prior and are renting a small Gecekondu or squatter house in the same neighborhood as her in-laws. Gecekondu, translated as house built in one night, is a community nestled smack in the middle one of the more affluent neighborhoods in Istanbul. While "legal", the community is in danger of being torn down in the to make way for the urban renewal project.

Yusuf Kesman, 4, plays in his parents bedroom as his mother, Gulcan, breaks apart an old door for firewood outside their home.

Rabiya Kesman, 3 plays in between gecekondu - translated to home built over night- structures in Nisantasi, Istanbul.

Yarren Kesman,3, walks along side her mother, Gulcan after fetching scraps of wood to burn to heat their home.

Irfan Kesman tickles his son, Firat, 5, during an afternoon off work, at his home in Besiktas, Istanbul.

Selcan Kesman holds her distraught son, surrounded by her nieces and nephews.

Songul Kesman, 13, makes tea for the household.

Irfan Kesman takes one last look in the mirror before leaving for his 10-2am shift as a shish kepap cook at a local restaurant. Kesman says he has trouble with his hands which are black from cooking for long hours.

The families must make due with the limited means they have, often the children must attend to either others needs.

Miskal Kesman rocks her grandson, Remzi to sleep with the aid of her granddaughters, Rabiya, 3, and Seda, 3, Kesman. Selcan Kesman rests at rear.

Yusuf Kesman, 4, jumps from the ledge of his families Gecekondu, nestled in the heart of Besiktas.