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Malala Yousafzai

When Malala Yousafzai speaks, the world takes notice. At 11, she spoke out against the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education. At 15, she survived an assassination attempt. At 17, she won a Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy. Now, at 27, Malala is using her voice to amplify the stories of others through film. “I believe that storytelling is the soul of activism,” Malala tells us. “I know this from my own life and how much my story has resonated with people around the world.”

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Behind the Campaign: Meet Vendor Kim

Over the next few weeks we’ll be introducing you to the vendors who are part of our 25 Years Big campaign. We’ll find out a bit about them, what selling The Big Issue is like, and what they thought of their cartoon.

For our 25th birthday The Big Issue has launched a campaign celebrating ’25 Years Big’. The campaign features real vendors from across Australia transformed into cartoons by illustrator Rami Niemi and agency Town Square. It’s a bright and fun campaign that celebrates all vendors who are the heart of The Big Issue, and reminds viewers to continue supporting vendors who are proudly working to improve their lives. Keep an eye out for it on television, print, online and outdoors, and if you see it be sure to post it and tag us!

Over the next few weeks we’ll be introducing you to the vendors who are part of the 25 Years Big campaign. We’ll find out a bit about them, what selling The Big Issue is like, and what they thought of their cartoon. Our first vendor is Kim from Western Australia.

Kim sells The Big Issue outside the Fremantle Markets. She has been selling for nearly 10 years, and loves the people and community in the area.

“It’s wonderful, I love Fremantle. It’s different, and the people are different. People are very friendly and warm, people around the markets where I work are always looking after me. They always give me a hug when they haven’t seen me for a while, ask about my family, and love me to bits. Freo is very inclusive.

“I have quite a few regular customers, it seems like millions sometimes. I have customers that when they travel overseas they have bought me back Big Issue magazines from other countries.”

Alongside Kim her Jack Russel Mr Bean is featured in our 25 Years Big campaign.

“My Jack Russell, Mr Bean often comes to work with me. He has his own Big Issue outfit, similar to my yellow vest. He is much more famous in Fremantle than I am.

“I was stoked to see my illustrations. People have got quite a kick out of it and I have sent my family overseas a copy.”

Kim loves selling The Big Issue, and has a sweet message for her customers.

“(Selling The Big Issue) made me feel like a bigger person, and helped me open up my personality. I love it.

“I just want to say that I love all my customers, and I love to make them happy and to laugh. It’s when times are hard that us vendors need our customers the most.”