More than 30 years ago in the UK while on a language course, we took this photo at the very moment we decided to subscribe to the Guardian Weekly. Working in remote places in Cameroon or Bangladesh, we were well accustomed to situations where we really craved any kind of information from the outside world in order to stay in touch. Since we had this brilliant idea, we often communicated the changes of our address to the subscription office and we were never let down in Lesotho, Guinea-Bissau, Germany, Mali or France.
When you live in foreign countries, the best way not to get frustrated by people being so different and ways of life so mysterious is to try to learn more about them and to be curious. The Guardian Weekly gives an excellent insight into developing countries, which normally only attract attention when there is conflict and catastrophe. It does not only report about the oddities of politics, which is useful but often nerve-racking, but also talks about people, culture, everyday life. Even UK news becomes digestible for Germans, like us, when it is presented in this way.
Freedom of the press is a precious value, but also a responsibility. Very often news is just following the mainstream. We thank the Guardian Weekly for never letting us down and look forward to many more years of pleasant lecture.
If you would like to appear in this space, send a brief note to guardian.weekly@theguardian.com
