Our Vendors: Pilar Ferreir - Ocas, São Paulo, Brazil

Since Pilar Ferreir started selling Brazilian street paper Ocas in São Paulo, she has gone from cleaning mansions to writing novels and performing poetry and can now provide for her family.

"I was eight years old when I started to get into writing,” recalls Pilar, who grew up working alongside her mother, cleaning properties in some of Brazil's wealthiest neighbourhoods.

“I read Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves and decided to write a story. My mother's boss came into my room, saw my papers on the floor and said that I was writing too much. 

"She tore everything up, said 'get to work, blackie, you're aiming too high'. This phrase has haunted me all my life. Today, every time I take part in a literary project, a recital, I remember this.  It was complete nonsense."

As Pilar landed her first paid cleaning job at 14, education was never an option for her. It wasn't until she enrolled in a basic education course for deprived adults that she got some college experience, but finding secure employment remained a battle. Money was always running out and she was eventually evicted from her home.

One day, after leaving yet another unsuccessful job interview, Pilar broke down in the doorway of the Museum of Art of São Paulo and cried. Suddenly, she spotted a man with a bundle of magazines under his arm.

"I saw him selling magazines so I went over and asked him how I could get a job like that," recalls the 44-year-old. "He told me about the street paper and I said to him, 'but I don't live on the streets'. He replied: 'But soon you will'. And he was right. I no longer had any money in my purse and I hadn't even realised it."

Together they went to the Ocas office, where Pilar received her orange vest and a pack of ten magazines. It was a Monday morning. On Wednesday she went back for more.

"There were periods where I didn't stop working until one in the morning,” says Pilar

“I had to make the most of the people coming out of the cinema and theatre. Selling the magazine, I meet artists, actors, singers and lots of very nice people. I show them my poems. They often give me free tickets for shows, invitations to plays. All of this keeps me going."

Writing has remained her greatest passion. Following the publication of her poems in Ocas, she published a book, Unacademic Words. "I didn't go to university, but living on the streets inspired me to write it," she says.

After eight years of selling Ocas, Pilar managed to rent the house that she lives in today, with her children. "Ocas has turned my life around," she says. "We have money to eat and pay the bills, which is the most important thing. I hope that one day I can buy my own place."

Did you know INSP works with over 120 street papers around the world? You can help celebrate thousands of vendors, like Pilar, by signing up to our Thunderclap social media campaign during #VendorWeek 2015. 

Our vendors: Beiene Berhane - Surprise, Switzerland

“It was only after coming here that I learnt the true meaning of neighbourly love,” says Beiene Berhane, who, at 75 years old, is the oldest of the Surprise street paper vendors in Zurich, Switzerland.

Beiene is also the first African to sell Surprise. A political refugee from Eritrea, he ended up homeless after fleeing his country but has found a new purpose, and family, selling street papers.

Beiene Berhane sells Surprise in Zurich.

“I come from Eritrea, and only poor people work on the streets there so it is not seen as a good thing,” he explains.

“But then I saw how hard the Swiss work, in whatever job they have, and that motivated me. Today I am very proud that I can sell Surprise.”

Even though his German is limited, Beiene has been able to form relationships with his regular customers, including one woman who has bought Surprise from him for the last ten years.

“I always try and chat to people, although I only speak a little German," says the vendor.

"Somehow, you always understand each other, even if sometimes you have to speak with your hands. A lot of people here also speak Italian. Eritrea was an Italian colony, so I can speak the language.

“In the evening when I have finished selling, I enjoy watching RSI, a Swiss TV channel in Italian. This means I can learn more about where I now live.”

Born in 1939,  Beiene experienced many political upheavals while living in Eritrea, including a 30-year war with neighbouring country Ethiopia.

“I cannot speak about the precise circumstances of my escape from Eritrea; I have painful memories of it,” he says.

“I have hardly any contact with my family any more. I am the second youngest of ten children; many of my siblings are dead. I have six children myself, but I only speak to one son now and then.”

But for Beiene, his new Swiss friends have become his second family.

“They celebrate my birthday with me, look after me when I am unwell, and when I had nowhere to live they took me in,” he says with a smile.

“The Swiss are so friendly. I am often given a coffee or a sandwich - by someone I don't know! That would never happen at home.

“Nevertheless, home is like your mother, you can never forget her. I hope that the situation in Eritrea will calm down and that the people there will take Switzerland as an example.”

Did you know INSP works with over 120 street papers around the world? You can help celebrate thousands of vendors, like Beiene, by signing up to our Thunderclap social media campaign during #VendorWeek 2015.

Happy 5th anniversary to Philadelphia street paper One Step Away

By Laura Smith

A street paper produced by homeless people and sold on the streets of Philadelphia has marked its five year anniversary by celebrating the real stars of the show: its vendors.

Since launching on 15 December 2009, roughly 650,000 copies of One Step Away have been sold by more than 1,700 homeless and unemployed people across the city.


Around 85 percent of One Step Away's vendors rely on the paper for employment. They sell the publication for $1, keep 75 cents of each paper for themselves, and give 25 cents back to the paper to help cover printing costs for the next edition.

One Step Away vendor Jarred.

To celebrate its five-year milestone, One Step Away ran a special edition which took a trip down memory lane to reflect on some of the paper's highlights in the years since its inception.

The editorial team also spoke to several One Step Away vendors to find out what selling the street paper meant to them.

One Step Away vendor Jocelyn.

"One Step Away made a difference in my life because One Step Away made me realise that anybody can be one step away from being homeless," said vendor Jocelyn.

"I love working for One Step Away because we are changing people's lives each and every day and also helping their needs."

One Step Away vendor Ram.

For vendor Jarred, One step Away has been "the come up" in his life. His colleague Ram said that selling a street paper has given him "self-empowerment" and vendor Jayden added that One Step Away has given him "the chance to make a change in my life."

For vendor Daniel, his job at the grassroots non-profit has given him a huge hand up in life too.

"One Step Away keeps me from begging in the street," he said. "It employs me when no one else will give me a chance."

One Step Away vendor Daniel.

So a big congratulations to the staff, writers and vendors of One Step Away on the milestone, and here's to five more years of quality journalism that is helping to change lives straight from the streets of Philadelphia.

You can help celebrate street paper vendors like Jocelyn, Jarred, Ram, Jayden and Daniel around the world by signing up for INSP's Thunderclap during #VendorWeek 2015.

See below for more details.

Do you have a big following? We need your voice to make #VendorWeek bigger than ever. http://t.co/NHtTAIncfy pic.twitter.com/xEiYIOncAV
— INSP (@_INSP) December 13, 2014

Our vendors: Richard Mills - The Big Issue UK, Gloucester

"I love selling the Big Issue but I don't think people realise what a hard job it is," says 50-year-old Richard Mills, who sells The Big Issue in Gloucester, England.

Former rockin' roadie turned Big Issue vendor Richard Mills.

Before selling a street paper, Richard was a roadie and guitar technician for 15 years, travelling the world and working on tour with big name rock stars like the Manic Street Preachers and Catatonia.

"I used to follow bands around on tour and a friend of mine had a company doing theatre work in Cambridge, unloading the trucks and fixing up big arenas for gigs," he recalls.

"This led me into doing guitar technician work, and I worked on a self-employed basis for about 15 years. I was working with bands and performers like Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia and Paul Young."

Richard became homeless about two and a half years ago after losing work.

Following a spell of sleeping on the streets and camping in tents, he finally found a place to stay thanks, he says, to "a man from round the corner, who worked at an estate agents, asked if I wanted to do a bit of flat sitting for him. And since then, I've been in a flat. It was a top offer."

Richard now sells The Big Issue in his hometown. "I used to buy the Big Issue back when it first started, when it was a broadsheet and cost about 50p," he says.

"A friend of mine suggested I try selling it, when I was in a night shelter about two and a half years ago."

While being outdoors in all weather often proves to be a tough gig, Richard says it's his customers who often keep him motivated. It turns out The Big Issue seller has become an inspiration to the community too.

"Selling the Big Issue is one of the hardest jobs I've ever had to do, so I wouldn't mind getting an easier one," he says.

"But then, a woman came up to me the other day, when I was feeling really depressed, and said, 'I see you out in all weathers - You're a real source of inspiration to me.'"

You can help celebrate street paper vendors like Richard around the world by signing up for INSP's Thunderclap during #VendorWeek 2015 here. 

Vendor Week Storify (UPDATE 6)

INSP's international programme of events and activities celebrating street paper vendors, championing their entrepreneurial spirit and challenging perceptions of poverty and homelessness. Here is a round-up of tweets, blog posts and other coverage.

INSPiring Vendor Week in Macedonia

By Lice v lice staff writer

Skopje’s streets were the places where this past week the work of the street paper magazine vendors and their entrepreneur spirit was celebrated. The celebration was part of International Street Paper Vendor Week. The only Macedonian street paper magazine Lice v lice (Face to face) gave its contribution to the celebration of the Vendor Week, along with more than 600 cities in the world and 120 magazines and newspapers.

Ergjan, the two Armandos, Alen, Nedzad, Orhan, Anton and Radzo are Lice v lice’s vendors that inspired the citizens of Skopje and Macedonia, telling their stories, their will and determination to rise above the poverty and the troubles in their lives. With selling Lice v lice they get their incomes and earn money, but they also participate in the active citizenship and inclusion in the society.

"There were people that gave me some coins, without buying the magazine. I refused this money and I was telling them that I work, I don’t beg for money. If they wanted to support me, they would buy the magazine", said Armando Rexepi, one of the Lice v lice vendors.

The celebration of the International vendor week in Skopje begun with the promotion of the third edition of the magazine Lice v lice. Dozens of citizens got involved in the mission of the magazine. There were a lot of celebrities among them – artists, musicians, fashion designers from Macedonia: Sergej Andreevski, Nikola Sekirarski, Verica Andreevska – Spasovic from the bend “Starowski”, Tanja Kokev, Karolina Goceva, Marjan Jovanovski from the band “Sintezis”.

The citizens also engaged with the action “Face to face with the Other – 15 Minutes in the vendors uniforms”, and they had the opportunity to face the experiences that the vendors are experiencing every time they try to offer the magazine to the potential buyers.

"I had an unusual experience. Along with Radzo, we were selling “Lice v lice” together and I enjoyed in his company. I also realized the kind of challenges he is facing while he struggles to earn for living. I think that it was much harder for me to face with some of the uncomfortable reactions of the people, Radzo seems to be used to that so he continued without any problem. I learned a great lection", said Aleksandra Iloska, that is one of the most committed supporters of “Lice v lice” and that participated in this action.

Together with the Agency for communications “Ksantika”, “Lice v lice” this week organized intensive trainings for improvement of the communication skills of the vendors. The trainings are conducted with the known Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) methods.

"I’m working with Lice v lice’s vendors and I can see that they have improved their skills significantly. It is very important for them to know how to work on their positive sides, to define goals in their lives and to define the steps towards those goals", said Marina Ancevska, a trainee from “Ksantika”.

Other citizens involved in the celebration of the Vendor week also, as well as companies, organizations and embassies, such as MEPSO, Pakomak, ADING, Biro project, Pharmachem, Adora engeneering, Konekt and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Macedonia. The vendors visited those companies and they were selling the magazine there, but they also tell their stories and learn something about the companies.

"We hope that this cooperation and involvement in the mission of “Lice v lice” will continue. This week we assured that there is a critical mass of citizens that are aware that they can contribute in this joint building of a better society. We expect adventurous actions – said the organizers from “Lice v lice”.

Lice v lice (Face to face) is a street paper from Skopje, Republic of Macedonia that is part of the Regional platform of activism LICEULICE. So far, they published three editions, with themes such as activism through culture and arts, environment, active citizenship, social responsibility and similar. The paper aims to promote the model of social entrepreneurship in Macedonia. The vendors are youth from street and homeless people that get half of the price of the magazine to their own.

My neighbour without a roof - An initiative by Liceulice (Serbia)

Most people never talk to those who live without a roof over their head. Lack of interaction between different groups in our society, combined with impersonal or incorrect description of homeless that exist in ingrained stereotypes, contributes to sustaining of unbridgeable gap between those who have their home and those who have not. Consequence is that people look on homelessness as to abstract social problem. We look on those who do not have their home as less happy or very guilty for “their situation” and then it’s much easier to ignore their problems.

The Initiative “My neighbor without a roof” (www.facebook.com/mojkomsijabezkrova; www.twiter.com/KomsijaBezKrova) wanted to change these stereotypes and deconstruct prejudices that are deeply ingrained into our society. The basic idea was to initiate and motivate (passive) online community (Facebok, Twitter, Flickr), by giving the example of numerous online/offline activities, on providing direct help to homeless, so that they can do that by themselves next time, not just to wait for others to do something. The initiators (street paper Liceulice, Red Cross Palilula and agency D Kit) begun in December last year with gathering people of good will who do not turn their head on the other side when they see our neighbors without a roof and organized several gatherings with homeless on different city spots. They invited wide public via FB, TW, other media, to come, bring their friends and bring some warm clothes, food and toiletries.

During the International Vendor Week, initiative “My neighbor without a roof”, despite the bad weather, had its 4th successful action in one of many city parks in the center of Belgrade. But it wasn’t the usual action. This one was much special because Liceulice vendors joined the action, because they wanted to help homeless who live in worse conditions than they do. This meeting was important, not just because homeless got necessary things for surviving the winter - worm clothes, shoes and canned food, but also as possibility to get to know each other, hear other’s stories and exchange good will.

I am proud to know these people and to live in the city that finally starts to take care of those who need it the most. We all needed certain amount of courage for this action and we all proved that we have it! Hvala svim organizatorima i onima koji su juče, uprkos lošem vremenu, bili na trgu Slavija – i beskućnicima i aktivistima. Svima je bila potrebna izvesna doza hrabrosti za ovaj susret, i svi su dokazali su da je imaju. Well done! See you soon on a new action!

Nikoleta Kosovac

Vendor Week videos from Strathclyde's student reporter team

Students from Strathclyde University's digital journalism course have been running around Glasgow this week to cover INSP's events during the first-ever International Street Paper Vendor Week. Check out their videos here:

Big thanks to the volunteer student reporter team: Tony Connelly, Gregor Cubie, Christine Glen, Corey Milne, Euan Ramsay, Jacquelyn Farr, Eric Karoulla, Mark Muir, Marius Rønnekleiv ‎and Colm Currie and to Sallyanne Duncan at Strathclyde University.

London vendors greet colleagues abroad!

Big Issue vendor party in Glasgow!

Vendors pick up their goodie bags, hats and snacks during a vendor party at The Big Issue's distribution office in Glasgow, as part of International Street Paper Vendor Week, 6 February 2013.

'One warm winter' campaign huge hit in Berlin

One of the campaign images by Oliver Rath.

By Katrin Schmoll

Winter is the toughest season for over 1000 homeless people in the German capital Berlin. The shelters are often overcrowded and there is a permanent lack of warm clothing for the homeless. Many of them get sick or even freeze to death on the street.

Aiming to collect money and warm clothes for its vendors and others affected by the cold winter weather, Berlin-based street paper Strassenfeger launched the charity campaign 'One warm winter' in partnership with advertising agency DOJO. Online deal website Groupon also got on board by adverting a special 'charity deal' on its website. Supported by German celebrities like actor and musician Wilson Gonzales Ochsenknecht and photographer Oliver Rath who took the campaign pictures, the campaign spread fast across social media.

Chip in for a coat

'Chipping in' for a warm coat for a Berlin vendor.

The fundraising principle behind the campaign is simple: login with your Facebook account and with just one click, you can donate one Euro and chip in for a warm jacket. As coats cost 30 euro each, your photo will be added to 1/30th of a coat appearing on screen. You can then share the picture of your 'image-quilted' coat via social media and encourage your friends to chip in, too.

Across the city, other fundraisers have been held as part of the campaign as well, including clothes collections and fundraising gigs. Posters all over town remind passers-by to donate.

Strassenfeger said that the initual success of the campaign was overwhelming, with 35,000 Euro collected in the first 10 days. Donations can still be made online.

Covering Vendor Week: readers worldwide introduced to global street paper family

Ad campaign in bodo
(Dortmund, Germany)

Streetvibes (Cincinnati, USA)

To celebrate International Street Paper Vendor Week, publications around the world have published a special ad campaign poster, a feature story and vendor profiles from colleagues afar.

As part of Vendor Week, street papers worldwide this week take part in a programme of events and activities celebrating street paper vendors, championing their entrepreneurial spirit and challenging perceptions of poverty and homelessness.

Ad campaign in Licevlice (Macedonia)

Ad campaign in L'Itineraire
(Quebec, Canada)

In Germany Soziale Welt, Asphalt, Draussenseiter, Strassenkreuzer, Die Jerusalemmer, and Hinz&Kunzt published the article titled 'Meet the world's most inspiring work force'. Bodo in Dortmund included the campaign poster in the coverage as well. INSP's newest street paper Licevlice in Macedonia published the ad poster across two pages of its magazine. Sister paper Liceulice in Serbia joined the campaign online.

In Africa,The Big Issue Malawi ran the story, and The Big Issue South Africa launched a campaign featuring two vendors' life stories every day during Vendor Week. The Big Issue Australia also promoted the week and their local events online.

Straatjournaal in the Netherlands decided its February cover to Vendor Week, placing a vendor image on the cover with the title: “Did you know that I am one of 28,000 street paper vendors?” Inside the magazine, it featured a selection of vendor profiles from around the world. Colleague street paper De Riepe in the north of Holland also ran it.

Cover of Straatjournaal,
(Haarlem, Netherlands)

Street Roots (Portland, USA)

Elsewhere in Europe, Ireland’s Big Issue, Kupfermuckn in Austria, Novy Prostor in Czech Republic followed suit. The Big Issue in the UK urged its readers last week to get involved with a special  #celebrateyourvendor cover, following the tragic deaths of two of its vendors.

Cover of L'Itineraire
(Quebec, Canada)

In the USA, One Step Away (Philadelphia), The Contributor (Nashville), Street Zine, Toledo Streets, StreetWise (Chicago), The Journey,Streetvibes in Cincinnati and New Orleans Street Exchange published the Vendor Week feature. Street Roots in Portland published a series of vendor’s life stories in its recent edition.

The Big Isssue (UK)

L’Itineraire in Montreal, Canada dedicated its cover to vendor week and created a ‘special report’ section in its latest edition, featuring vendors from around the world.

Many other street papers published the poster and feature on their websites and social media pages.

Readers worldwide are encouraged to get involved and join the global celebration of street paper vendors via Twitter: #INSPiringpeople

Vendor Week covered in Glasgow's Evening Times!

Thanks to our friends at the Evening Times in Glasgow for announcing International Street Paper Vendor Week in today's paper. You can read the full article 'City streets ahead to aid INSPiring people' on their website. 

Melbourne Lord Mayor kicks of Vendor Week 2013

The Big Issue Australia kicked off International Street Paper Vendor Week 2013 a few hours ago. Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and comedian Colin Lane worked the lunch crowds selling The Big Issue. The Lord Mayor - pictured here with vendor Peter J - sold 15 magazines in 30 minutes!

Vendor Week announced in The Economist

Vendor Week was announced today in The Economist - the London-based weekly news and international affairs magazine. In their piece 'Words on the street' they looks the effects of technology on the street paper model, as well as the possibilities that technology provides for fighting homelessness. They conclude:

"Such fixes may let outsiders help the homeless. But they will not replace the best bit of the old street-newspaper model: giving homeless people a way to help themselves".

'International Street Paper Vendor Week' celebrates 14,000 inspiring vendors

Next week, a unique global event will be co-ordinated from a small office in Glasgow. The first annual ‘International Street Paper Vendor Week’ will celebrate the 14,000 homeless people around the world who are working to lift themselves out of poverty by selling street papers. 

There are 14,000 street paper vendors in 600 cities worldwide.

International Street Paper Vendor Week (4th – 10th February) is a global programme of events and activities, that will celebrate street paper vendors and challenge perceptions of poverty and homelessness. Vendor Week is organised by INSP (the International Network of Street Papers) – a Glasgow-based charity that supports The Big Issue magazine and over 100 other similar projects in 40 countries worldwide.

For many people who are homeless or living poverty, selling a street paper like The Big Issue can offer a financial lifeline and act as a stepping stone to support, housing and training. More than 28,000 vendors each year (14,000 at any one time) work to lift themselves out of poverty, by selling their local street paper in more than 600 towns and cities around the world.

Whether they are on the streets of Glasgow, Cape Town, Melbourne or Milan, every vendor is part of a global network working together to fight poverty and help people help themselves. The scale of the INSP network is a testament to the strength and effectiveness of the street paper model, which has now spread across 40 countries on six continents and earns vendors over $40 million per year.

From its base in Scotland, INSP helps its member street papers with start-up and editorial support, staff and vendor training, funding, networking and campaigns to raise awareness of their work. Worldwide, INSP’s street papers have already helped more than 250,000 homeless people change their lives.

Vendor parties
INSP's vendor week co-ordinator Maree Aldam said: "Our first-ever Vendor Week promises to be a very exciting one. Next week, street papers around the world will celebrate their hard working vendors and raise awareness of homelessness in their cities and countries using the theme ‘INSPiring people’.

"Events range from vendor parties and open days to Twitter competitions and photography exhibitions. Street papers are running public campaigns, special editions, editorial features, and making movies – all to raise awareness of the amazing stories and contributions of their vendors, who work hard each day, come hail, rain or shine."

"Street paper readers around the world are encouraged to get involved, through tweeting about their local vendor, using the hashtag #INSPiringPeople and of course buy a copy -or two!- of their street paper."

MSP selling
As well as supporting the international programme, INSP will also hold a series of Scottish events. On Monday, Humza Yousaf MSP – Scotland’s Minister for External Affairs and International Development – will accompany a Big Issue vendor on his pitch in Glasgow, to find out what it’s really like selling a street paper. High profile 'guest vendors' will also help selling street papers in other countries, including Australia.

INSP supports The Big Issue in Scotland to hold special parties for their vendors at their distribution offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Perth and Dundee.

A series of week-long digital exhibitions will be held in venues across Glasgow (City Chambers, Concert Hall, City Halls, Kelvingrove Museum, Tramway Theatre and the Mitchell Library). INSP’s Patron, The Lord Provost of Glasgow, will also host a special reception and photography exhibition at the City Chambers, for invited guests.

INSP’s Executive Director Lisa Maclean said: “This event gives us an opportunity to celebrate our vendors with supporters in Scotland and around the world. We are very grateful to our Vendor Week sponsors for helping to make this happen. They are fantastic ambassadors for the street paper model.”

This year’s event is made possible through the support of a range of sponsors and supporters, including: Big Lottery – Awards for All (Scotland); Glasgow Life; Glasgow City Council; Strathclyde University Business School; Unity Trust Bank; 999 Design; Glasgow’s Regeneration Agency; Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation; The Merchant’s House of Glasgow. Find out more here.

Vendor Week 2013

At any one time - across 40 countries - there are more than 14,000 vendors, selling 120 different street papers. They are inspiring people. International Street Paper Vendor Week (4th - 10th February 2013) is a programme of events and activities celebrating street paper vendors, championing their entrepreneurial spirit and challenging perceptions of poverty and homelessness. This is what's happening where you are:
 

View Vendor Week participants in a larger map