INSP Advent Calendar: day 16

Kralji Ulice vendor Edin first took up a pitch to sell street papers as part of his community service after having some trouble with the law. But now, he recognises that the chance to sell the magazine was a lucky opportunity to fall into.

Readers of L’Itinéraire might not be familiar with the name Mario Alberto Reyes Zamora; however, they are more than likely to be familiar with his photography, which is regularly featured in the magazine. L’Itinéraire finds out more about Mario’s background, his work as a photographer and his recent move into subsidised housing.

Punitha Subhagaran, 38, sells Surprise in Langnau and Grosshöchstetten. She has lived in the Emmental (valley of the River Emme) for about four years and already feels at home there. She just misses her parents from her old life in Sri Lanka.

John has spent the last 40 years working as a handyman all over Washington state. He has been homeless since the age of 18. Here, he talks about his family background, the challenges that he currently faces and the importance of appreciating how lucky you are.

Another month is coming to a close, meaning it’s time to reflect on the street paper covers that have been making waves amongst vendors and readers alike during March.

Aristeo wanted to be a sport star. But somewhere along the way, he lost himself. Thanks to Mi Valedor, things are looking up for him. Here, he explains why.

Vancouver vendor Priscillia Tait took the winning cover photo of the 2018 Hope in Shadows calendar. Here, she talks about the setting she chose for the photograph, as well as her family, growing up in an Indigenous community and her experience of homelessness.

Tina first arrived in Portland two and a half years ago and she now sells Street Roots from her pitch outside Target in Downtown Portland. Here, she reflects on her childhood struggle to reconcile her outer gender with her inner self, how welcoming Portland has been for her as a trans woman and the rich feeling of hope that her mother endowed her with.

Curbside Chronicle vendor Steve talks in depth about his childhood, growing up, his experiences of homeless and what it is like to work as a street paper vendor in Oklahoma City.

Constantin (60) is a vendor for Hinz&Kunzt at the REWE-Center in Dorotheenstraße. After losing his home and his family in his native country of Romania, he travelled to Germany looking for work. After finding himself sleeping rough, he turned to the German street paper for help.

The 90th Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, takes place this Sunday, so Chicago’s StreetWise asked its vendors to view a handful of the Academy-nominated films and share their thoughts. It’s a hotly contested year, with quality filmmaking running throughout the nominations, as well as some big surprises and a welcome turn towards greater diversity. (Be warned, there are SPOILERS ahead).

With entries for the 2018 INSP Awards opening very soon, has February delivered us any potential winners in the Best Cover category?

Tommaso, a Scarp de’ tenis vendor in Italy, tells us about his close relationship with his brother and how it has helped him push through some of the more challenging periods of his life.

Our vendor on the pitch, Nancy Mngqelana, 53, sells The Big Issue magazine in Claremont. She shares her inspiration and aspirations, and her story ‘sew’ far.

Big Issue vendors from across Australia offer words of advice, reflection, consolation and love to their teenaged selves in these special letters written for #VendorWeek 2018.

The Big Issue Australia vendor Cameron has become an internet sensation after a Facebook post about his unique idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day went viral.