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Each February, INSP leads a celebration of thousands of street paper vendors who are working, in often difficult circumstances, to change their own lives.
Gernot Holzinger is an Augustin vendor who lives in Vienna. Here, he talks candidly about his past and problems with addiction, and talks about his involvement with the paper.
Wally and Chauncey are a Street Roots selling, comedy double act. But it hasn’t always been a laugh. Here, they tell the story of how they met.
Curbside vendor Mildred has faced her fair share of challenges. She tells us about her personal history and describes the ways in which being a Curbside vendor, her faith and love of art are helping her to move forward.
We meet up with vendor Andy, for whom change has been afoot. He tells Big Issue North about his new flat, vents his political frustrations and shares his experiences as a vendor of the magazine.
Although Luis seems reluctant to open up at first, he is candid about how much selling HBA means to him. Most important to him is the opportunity it affords him to meet so many different people.
Cynthia, a talented and passionate dancer, moved to Denver to help out her brother who was experiencing homeless. By getting involved with selling street papers, she has found a bigger family than she could ever have expected.
Sergio has a talent for woodworking and he is never too busy to help someone out.
Rose moved to the US from the Philippines and she has been through some big changes in her life. But working with Real Change has finally made her life change for the better.
Raitis (60) sells Hinz & Kunzt in front of German supermarket Edeka on Stresemannallee, Hamburg.
A story about Liceulice’s vendor Mirko Ondrik. He talks about his family, how he became a vendor for the magazine, about the new friends he has made and about his hobbies; photography and cooking.
Alexandra used to work as a street musician, travelling between Hamburg and Romania. Now she sells Hinz&Kunzt, and sees her future in Hamburg: she proudly explains that her daughter can already speak very good German.
Simon first ended up on the street at the age of 16, where crime and drug use got him into trouble with the law. He eventually found stability and started a family, before the death of his father led to another downward spiral. Now he sells L’Itinéraire, and says it probably saved his life.
After his divorce, Adrian had to send his children back to Romania to live with his parents. He used to work as a lorry driver, but has struggled to find work through employment agencies. Now he sells Big Issue North to support his family and give them a better life.
As Sorgenfri celebrates ten years providing opportunity to people facing homelessness in the Norwegian city of Trondheim, we meet four of their longest-serving vendors.
Retired plumber Ernö is originally from Hungary, and has been selling the Augustin for nine years now – with a little help from a supermarket manager and a local pastor. He sends what money he can back home to his wife, who is ill, and his three daughters.
Darnesha first left home at age 13 to escape her mother’s abusive boyfriend. Three years ago, she moved to Oklahoma City with a controlling partner, but left him when his unreliable behaviour threatened to jeopardise their housing situation. Now she is raising her daughter on her own, and says selling The Curbside Chronicle has saved her.
