To mark the Day of the African Child, Unicef partnered with Sony to provide digital cameras to 20 young people in Bamako, Mali, to document their lives. The Sony Eye-See initiative is now in its sixth yearPhotograph: Giacomo Pirozzi/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

The young people were taught how to use the cameras by Unicef photographer Giacomo PirozziPhotograph: Giacomo Pirozzi/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

The rest of the pictures in the gallery were taken by the young people in and around Mali's capital, BamakoPhotograph: Giacomo Pirozzi/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

Making chains. A blacksmith in his forge behind Marché de Medina Koura in Bamako. 'This man is a breadwinner. He told me that this profession is allowing him to take care of his family,' says photographer Mamadou Couliabaly, 16, who is a mechanicPhotograph: Mamadou Couliabaly/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

Fatoumata sits with her brother’s sewing machine outside their house in Hamdallaye in Bamako. Photograph taken by Rokiatou Guindo, 14Photograph: Rokiatou Guindo/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

Penda Coulibaly, 16, poses as her friend Awa Coulibaly, 17, takes a photo outside the Centre for the Promotion of Training in Photography in the Bamako neighbourhood of Hippodrome. Both girls are involved in Eye-See. 'I really like the colour of Penda’s dress. My friend is a good tailor,' said AwaPhotograph: Awa Couliabaly/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

A rubbish dump on a hill behind Marché de Medina Koura. 'This place is dangerous, and yet the children are there in great numbers to pick up trash,' says Koritim Djire, 16Photograph: Korotim Djire/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

A child blacksmith behind Marché de Medina Koura. Photo by Zoumana Diallo, 16, a welderPhotograph: Zoumana Diallo/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

An accessories vendor at a market in Zone Industrielle in Bamako. Photo by Rokia Keita, 16, who sews for a livingPhotograph: Rokia Keita/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

Portrait of a young water seller outside the Centre for the Promotion of Training in Photography. 'She is selling water for her boss to help her parents who live in the village,' explained photographer Minata Sissoko, 16, a studentPhotograph: Minata Sissoko/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

Mariam holds her brother outside a house in Hamdallaye. 'She does not go to school because she cannot hear or speak,' says photographer Mariam Tounkara, 16Photograph: Mariam Tounkara/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

A woman seeks charity near the banks of the Niger river. Photo by Nana Traore, 16, who sews for a livingPhotograph: Nana Traore/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

Fishermen in a pirogue on the Niger river. Photo by Salimata Samke, 16Photograph: Salimata Samke/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

A fisherman on his boat on the Niger river. Photo by Kadiatou Kone, 13, a studentPhotograph: Kadiatou Kone/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

Fatoumata Kalako holds her son in front of the family house in Hamdallaye. Photo by Abdoulaye Cisse, 11, a studentPhotograph: Abdoulaye Cisse/Unicef/Sony Eye-See

Six-year-old Synae enjoys a snack in Ouolofobougou. Photo by Mariam Tounkara, 16Photograph: Mariam Tounkara/Unicef/Sony Eye-See