Without a birth certificate, a child in conflict with the law may also be treated and punished as an adult by the judicial system.1 Even those who avoid these perils may be unable to access vital services and opportunities - including education. But the obligations set out by the Convention on the Rights of the Child can be easily disregarded when whole settlements can be deemed non-existent and people can, in effect, be stripped of their citizenship for want of documentation. The lack of decent and secure housing and such infrastructure as water and sanitation systems makes it so much more difficult for children to survive and thrive. Yet, the attention devoted to improving living conditions has not matched the scope and severity of the problem. There is no effective right to play without a safe place to play, no enjoyment of health within a contaminated environment.