I Spent a Year Meeting People Who Make a Difference - Here's What They Taught Me

In the year I've spent spotlighting people doing good in their communities for the Guardian Angel feature, I've learned a lot. First: no one claims to be a benefactor. Something happens to a person - calamity, illness, loss - that opens a cavity in their chest, and once the air gets in, they are unable to rule out the misfortunes of others.

< p class="dcr -kpil6a">They start with small, progressive gestures, which then grow over time. A network is formed. Calls asking for help come in day or night, and they are answered. The person's free time is eroded, often their finances too, and very occasionally even their health. Despite this, they continue. Why?

Everyone I've spoken to says the same thing. Selfishness eats away at the soul. Time spent helping others does him good. We are social creatures, after all.

Writing this column has been one of the most inspiring experiences of my career, but it's time to wrap up Guardian Angel as I am getting ready to go on maternity leave. I want to thank readers for nominating people who would never have dreamed of coming forward, and all the organizations that volunteered their resources to give something back.

But, before I go, I wanted to catch up on some of my favorite subjects to see how their lives changed since the team of angels intervened.

When I spoke with Syrian refugee Khaled Wakkaa in October 2021, he mentioned his dream of opening a syrian van street food. He had drawn up a business plan for a start-up loan, but it was rejected because of the pandemic, and the idea sat in a drawer, gathering dust. We connected Wakkaa with the Nationwide Caterers Association, who helped him complete his food hygiene qualifications and connected him with a local mentor for work experience.

A year later, Wakkaa – who has now changed his name to Khaled Deakin, to honor his British adoptive family – is well on his way to his goal. After our article appeared, Guardian readers donated £1,700 to help with start-up costs for Deakin.

Tern, a non-profit organization that helps refugees start their own business, offered support. With her help, Deakin launched a crowdfunding campaign and raised nearly £19,000; almost enough to start the business, but not quite. But he's confident he'll make it.

"The Guardian Angel woke me up," Deakin says. "I almost gave up on my dream before. It showed me that I could achieve it in the future. This could be real life. Because you made it all happen for me...