A rare condition means Johanna Watkins is allergic to just about everyone and everything. She now cannot be in the same room as her husband and can only communicate with him via the internet. Photo credit Scott Watkins

Arn Chorn Pond survived a brutal childhood in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, by learning to play traditional instruments for their high command. He later became a child soldier and months living alone in the jungle he was eventually able to make a new life for himself in America and is now working to save traditional Cambodian art and music.

Donu Kogbara is a journalist from Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta. There is a high level of poverty, a lot of weapons and a choice of militant groups who complain that local people aren't getting a fair share of the oil money. Donu was inclined to agree but in August last year, she became part of the story herself when she had a late-night visit from supporters of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.

Image: Sweating under pressure

Credit: MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images

Kenza Isnasni grew up in Belgium with her Moroccan parents. In 2002, when Kenza was 18, her parents were shot dead in their home by a neighbour. Now she fights to stop other Islamophobic attacks.

(Image: Kenza Isnasni. Credit: Anass Ayach.)

Frank Thompson used to oversee executions in the USA - he now campaigns against them. (Photo credit: Caren Ann Jackson.)

Fred Swaniker from Ghana raised millions to train the next generation of African leaders.

Turkish writer Burhan Sönmez escaped into his imagination to cope with prison torture. (Photo credit: Kaan Saganak.)

Robert Katende was brought up in a slum in Uganda but his life was transformed when he discovered the game of chess. He has gone on to teach the game to some of Kampala's poorest children including Phiona Mutesi who has represented Uganda at the world chess championships and whose story has been made into a Disney film called "The Queen of Katwe".

Maria Toor Pakay is so passionate about sport that she once disguised herself as a boy to enter a weightlifting competition. She comes an ultra-conservative region of Pakistan, where many strongly believe that women should not take part in any kind of sport. Despite having received death threats from those who disagreed with her competing, Maria has now become a world class squash player.

Image: Egyptian protester removes net from a basketball ring in a school playground in Cairo.

Credit: Ed Giles, Getty Images

Richmond Shepard is an 87-year-old mime artist from New York - he says he's one of the few remaining professional mimes still working in the US - and claims he's certainly the oldest. Richmond's had an illustrious career, including working with the famous French mime artist Marcel Marceau. Outlook's Sorcha Glackin went to see him teaching a mime class.

Image & credit: Richmond Shepard

Even though discriminating against people on grounds of their caste has been illegal in India for years, people can still find themselves severely disadvantaged. Vimal Kumar is from one of the lowest castes - the Chuhras. They are sometimes called 'the untouchables'. For generations his family have made their living by cleaning out toilet pits, but today Vimal is studying for a PHD. He's managed to rise above the caste system and wants to helps the rest of his community to do the same. He told Matthew Bannister about his memories of being at school.

Image and credit: Vimal Kumar

Spencer Stone is an American airman who was on holiday in France last year when he tackled a gunman on a train, and narrowly escaped with his life. He's been honoured by the French and US presidents, but life hasn't been plain sailing since and he tells Jo Fidgen about the extraordinary year he's had.

Image: Spencer Stone talking to President Obama at the White House

credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images