The Big Issue has been reaching out to vendors across the street paper network to get the inside scoop on the cities they know best. This instalment features Mi Valedor vendors Erasmo, Antonio, Juan and Isaias talking about Mexico City.

This year we asked vendors: if you could give a song as a present this Christmas, what would you choose? The result was the INSP Vendor Playlist, which is now available for your listening pleasure. Mi Valedor vendor Erasmo talks about his love of singer José José and how it links with a lifetime of struggling with alcoholism.

Erasmo Navarrete has found hope and direction since becoming a Mi Valedor vendor. Despite his earlier struggles with alcoholism, he never lost his enthusiasm for work or his honest approach to life. Here, he looks back on his life and talks about the positive changes that have taken place since he became a Mi Valdor vendor, thanks to the support that he has received from others.

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.

Despite struggling with a knee injury, Isaias, a Mi Valedor vendor in Mexico, has had quite an eventful year. Looking back on 2017, he tells us about the moments that made him feel proud as well as what it feels like to become famous!

Becoming a Mi Valedor vendor has given Hadassha hope: hope that she can resist despair and move towards a more hopeful future. Here, she reflects on her life and talks about the lifeline that selling the magazine has offered her.

We catch up with Arturo, a Mi Valedor vendor, who is grateful for the support that he has found by selling the magazine. He tells us about his past, his experiences as a vendor and his mission to help others.

Camaxtli used to live with his family in Cuernavaca, but felt that he relied on them too much. Since coming to Mexico City, he has learnt more about himself and acquired some unusual skills at Mi Valedor workshops.