Leventica, Otley

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am 23 years old and I am from Romania. I am a new vendor here in Otley. I have only been on this pitch for a few weeks. Otley seems to be a very nice place and I like it here. I sold Big Issue North before in York for three or four years.

Where do you live?
I live with my family in Leeds and travel to Otley every day to sell the magazine.

Why do you sell the magazine?
I have five children – one girl and four boys. I am working for my kids. This is why I sell the magazine. It can be busy when it is the school holidays but I leave my children with my husband and I go working.

When did you come to the UK?
I came to England about five years ago to find work. I came with my husband – he is a takeaway delivery driver. I was married when I was quite young.

What makes you happy?
I love being a mum and I am happy that I am working for my family.

What makes you sad?
When there are arguments with other vendors about who is selling on a pitch. It can be difficult when there is more than one vendor in an area, or when someone is pretending to sell the magazine but they are not.

What do you wish for in life?
I would just like to have a good house and to keep working.

Where did you learn to speak English?
My English is not so good, but it is okay. When I first came to England, I could not speak any English at all but I have learnt it by selling the magazine.

Do you have a message for your customers?
I want to say hello and to introduce myself to my customers in Otley. I am quite shy and I do not want to have my photo in the magazine but I hope people come and find me, say hello and buy the magazine from me.