Every once in a while, you get to meet a person that radiates pure goodness, which nourishes your soul. Meeting Helen Manson, an award-winning, humanitarian photographer from Tearfund, made me realise why I love my job.
In which other profession do you get to meet so many inspiring people, changemakers that shine a light on the spectrum of possibilities on how we can reach out, go beyond ourselves, and impact the world we live in. And yes, we get to ask as many questions as possible to find out how they rise above the rubble to accomplish a Sisyphean task. As a storyteller at Tearfund, Helen, has dealt with so much heartbreak, pain and poverty in her line of work, and yet she is full of positivity, warmth and hope.
On another note, having been an integral part of the traditional print media for decades, must admit I’ve been intrigued by the slew of social media influencers, virtually slaying the scene with millions of followers. It seems simple, all you need is bragging rights and reels of beautifully wrapped freebies at your doorstep waiting to be opened. At one time celebritydom was the purview of rock, movie, and sport stars, but now viral fame is yours for taking. Right? We asked influencer Jahna Barraclough about the real story behind the glam reels. An interesting insight by the lovely lass.
Talking of looking beyond the surface, Times reporter Ben Plummer who hails from a family with an affinity for sport, shares his story. The former semi-professional rugby enthusiast set out to play the field, he realised there is a lot more to tackle, apart from injuries and keyboard warriors. An honest account.
This issue is packed with great visuals and stories that inspire, entertain, and celebrate people.
I’d also like to raise a toast to all those amazing women — mothers, step-mums, grandmothers, aunts, mother figures, that play a special role in your life. Happy Mother’s Day to you and yours!
FARIDA MASTER
Editor
