Retirement home for former sex workers

• A nursing home for former sex workers

French photographer Benedict Desrusu was curious to know what becomes of the sex workers, or more simply - prostitutes, after they finish their work, and retire. For this he visited a unique institution - Casa Xochiquetzal, a center for women of a certain age, located in Mexico City.

Today, Casa Xochiquetzal population of about 26 former prostitutes at the age of 55 years.

Their stories are as diverse as their appearance: a 72-year-old Canela from Oaxaca; Norma - worked in the area of Mexico City, the red light district or Paola, which despite the fact that now lives in the Casa Xochiquetzal, is still working on the streets.

The Hotel Casa Xochiquetzal was opened in 2006 and is the brainchild of Carmen Munoz, a former prostitute who petitioned for decades in various government authorities on the construction of the institution at the expense of the municipal budget. Over the years the institution is 250 women lived - former sex workers.

Life after the street: in Mexico City residence gives ex-sex workers a place where they can live their lives in the world, surrounded by women with similar experiences. In the photo - Maria Isabel, a resident Xochiquetzal, she ran away from home at the age of 9 and became a prostitute at age 17.

Jimena, who lives at the Casa Xochiquetzal. A single woman does not want to put up with their situation.

Amalia, a resident of the Casa Xochiquetzal, imposes a make-up before going to work in the streets of La Merced, Mexico City area in 2010. The residence is home for former prostitutes elderly, although not all of them have dropped their previous profession. Some still go to the streets to earn extra money.

Norma, a native of Jalisco. She is a cheerful woman and never lose heart.

Lunch at Casa Xochiquetzal institution. Here elderly women given shelter, food and medical care. Women, in turn, help to maintain the center.

Tales from the sad end: these are things a woman originally from Chihuahua named Leticia. She became a prostitute, leaving her husband, who beat her and cheated on her.