Boys' lives are a world apart, or are they?

William Selby put his hand up for a Christian Aid project aimed at comparing lifestyles of children from rich and poor countries.

The pupil at Burley Woodhead School, said: "I just wanted to know about other people." He was coupled with Emmanuel Kalunga, - an AIDS orphan, from Zambia.

According to the charity, there are now more than 12 million children orphaned by the disease across sub-Saharan Africa - equivalent to the entire child population of the UK.

Mark Curtis, Christian Aid's head of policy, said: "An entire generation is growing up without parents, without teachers, without a future.

"It's a scandal and it doesn't need to happen, but the world is standing by and letting it happen."

William's parents are keen supporters of the charity - which is celebrating Christian Aid week.

His father Mark said: "It is about improving quality of life not just handing out food or money. Christian Aid aims to help people improve their quality of life, themselves.

"They are not begging for things. It is just that if you give them the tools they are in a better position to help themselves."

Mr Selby said he was impressed by William's eagerness to take part in the project.

He added that the similarities between the boys' lives - although in many ways so different - are quite compelling.

Emmanuel plays with a rag football

Emmanuel has no siblings. He did have a brother but he died a long time ago.

His parents are also dead and he lives with his grandmother.

The house they share has two rooms, a kitchen area and a bedroom.

Emmanuel sleeps on the floor of the bedroom with his grandmother.

He does not have a bed, in what is basically a bare room.

On a typical day Emmanuel wakes and washes before helping his grandmother draw water and do the housework.

He walks the half an hour journey to his school, the CINDI community college, every day, to start at 8am.

One of the advantages of being at school is that Emmanuel eats lunch there, which is often mealie mealie (corn flour mixed with water and cooked to a stiff consistency) and sometimes vegetables and fish.

He is always eager to go to school because he wants to learn. His favourite subject is Maths.

He loves his teacher Elizabeth Mukeya because she has taught him to read, write and count.

The 61 pupils must share books and there are no computers. When school finishes at 4pm he goes home to help his grandmother with the housework.

Sometimes he plays football with his best friend Steven, who lives next door.

His best friend at school is Mulenga.

This is only Emmanuel's first year at school.

He will probably not be able to go to secondary school as the fees are too high.

When he is older he may become a house boy, a domestic position.

His dream would be to become a lorry driver but it is unlikely he will be able to afford the driving lessons or a vehicle.

Emmanuel goes to church every Sunday, with his friends not his grandmother.

In Sunday School he sings hymns and is taught about Jesus.

Emmanuel's only toy is a football made of rags.

He has only one change of clothes.

...while William dreams of becoming a professional footballer

William lives his with parents Mark, a consultant, and Pam, a doctor, both 39.

He has one older brother Christopher, aged 11.

The family live in a six-bedroom Victorian semi-detached house, in Station Road. William has his own bedroom, which has recently been decorated.

On a normal day William showers before watching television and eating his breakfast.

He walks by himself (or runs if he is late) the five minute route to Burley Woodhead School before the 9am bell.

Like his African counterpart, William also enjoys school dinners.

William needs no encouragement to set off to school. His friends are there and he enjoys it.

The youngster's favourite subject is Maths.

There are 180 pupils at William's school.

They have access to computers and only share certain text books.

When William finishes school he occasionally takes care of the family's pets, a cat, two gerbils and two guinea pigs.

He has no other chores beside his homework.

He enjoys playing computer games on the family's PC and he plays cricket. He also has swimming lessons.

His real passion is football, which he often plays with his best friend Matthew Bell, who lives 10 minutes away.

It is his dream to become a professional footballer.

William goes to church every Sunday, to St Mary's Parish Church, where he is a member of the choir.

William has lots of toys - but his prized possession is his football.