Standing in a makeshift salon on the side of a dusty backstreet in Democratic Republic of Congo capital Kinshasa Papy Kalume pulled a fresh razor out of his bag. The 47-year-old barber placed the "Gillette" -- as it is commonly called by street hairdressers in the city -- against the back of a customer's head and began to shave. Kalume is one of thousands trying to make ends meet with an off-the-books job in a country which, according to official figures, has nearly 50 percent unemployment.
It only took him a few minutes for him to finish. But Kalume, like many street barbers, has spent years perfecting his technique on neighbourhood children and relatives. "You have to master the blade to style hair well," Kalume told AFP.
"The Gillette can easily injure (someone)," he added. Brushing any stray hairs from around the customer's neck and shoulders he finished the cut. Clients are then treated to a spray of disinfectant on the back of the head and neck to treat any accidental cuts, then a slap of talcum powder.
Dozens of men come into Kalume's makeshift salon every day, sitting on an office chair so dilapidated only the seat and metal frame remain, in front of a cracked mirror. The haircut costs the equivalent of 70 cents (US $0.70, 2,000 Congolese francs).
"We earn the bread that God gives us," said Kalume. In a hair salon a few blocks away it cost almost 30 times more for a haircut. But that salon is often deserted.
Kalume is just one of thousands of Congolese people with an .