Photographs depicting the plight of street children in Ukraine, a former republic of the Soviet Union, will be on display at Samford University's Davis Library Jan 24-28.

The 80 black and white photos by Russian photographer Alexander Glyadyelov depict the daily existence of youngsters who have been robbed of their childhood and forced to beg on the streets. The display will be inside the main entrance of the Library.

Glyadyelov will present a slide show and talk at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, in the second floor conference room of Davis Library.

The public is invited free of charge to the exhibit and slide presentation.

According to organizers of the Samford show, Glyadyelov is committed to educating people about the brutal circumstances in which the children live. Since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine has experienced a growing economic crisis which has produced soaring poverty. While the population is surviving, many marginalized families send their children to beg on the streets. Children and teenagers live together to survive, and are often the victims of alcohol, drugs, violence and escalating drug abuse. Glyadyelov has won national awards for his work, and was named Photographer of the Year in Ukraine in 1996.

Donations will be accepted and will be directed to benefit the children of Ukraine through Doctors Without Borders USA, Inc.