Good luck and see you in a bit!

Dear All

It was wonderful to be hearing (and in case of Paulina, seeing) you all on skype again. And now, I am gonna say bye to you for a couple of weeks.

I am going to Durban; I, along with 14 other journalists, was selected out of 700 people, to cover the climate summit. And It's time I put my heart and soul into it and prove that I indeed am worth all the trust the selectors had in me.

The climate summit will attract hundreds of journalists, including those from giant media houses like CNN, BBC and the Newscorp. There will also be super speedy reporters from newswires like Reuters and AP, ready to break 1 story a minute. So, what chance do I have?

The answer is, I have something which nobody else has: my knowledge of how climate change is affecting people at the grass root level, how a marginal farmer is struggling day in and day out, to provide a square meal to his family in the face of a changing climate and then, I know how women in the grass root level cope with climate change. This I can use, to write compelling reports that can move any reader.

Now, I say this to you all, as you start working on your profile story: You have access to stories that even the most privileged reporter of the biggest media house doesn't. So, choose a woman who you think is unique and isn't repeatedly heard. Bring her out in the open, tell her story and let the world see why VoF correspondents are so special. (and make Rachael and Scott love you 100 times more :)

Needless to say, you have all my good wishes laid down right here for you.

As for me, I have already sent my story to my midwife, but I will be the last one to post it on WP. I will also be the last one to read your stories this time. But read I will and comment too, Promise!

So, bye and take care everyone. See you all in a bit!