大象传媒

Christine Murebwayire was driven into poverty after the death of her husband. But making a business from the Rwandan tradition of banana wine lifted her from a life of deprivation.

South African David Jenkins made his name on the TV show South Africa's Got Talent in 2009 when he stood out as one of a small number of white musicians to embrace a form of traditional Zulu folk music called Maskandi. Since then, he has been embraced by top Zulu musicians and performed all over the world.

Chris Skaife is the Ravenmaster at the iconic Tower of London. He takes care of the birds there because legend has it that "if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it".

Alejandro Aguirre Riveros is a young Mexican author who says that literature has saved his life - twice. He hadn't intended to become a writer, but life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with a rare and excruciating disease.

Image credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images