They were written in the simple, sometimes awkward, sometimes grammatically incorrect, unmistakably hopeful voice of somebody who is just desperate for a chance -- just desperate to live his unlikely dream.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Delivers Commencement Address at Miami Dade College | The White House

"I had no education, no job and was desperate, " Hosni told me in a surprisingly clear voice for someone whose situation seemed so dire.

BBC: Tunisia one year on: New trend of self-immolations

"It's bringing people together - some of whom are prepared to trade down so that they don't have the spare room but some of whom are in desperate need and you're not even hearing the voice of those people in this debate, " he said.

BBC: Welfare system reforms are fair, says Iain Duncan Smith