“How can I help the world somehow? How can I have an impact on society?”
I was asking myself these questions frequently.
It all started when I downloaded Google Maps, many years ago. And for many years after, I did not have an impact on society at all.
I solely was benefiting from such an innovative community foundation, created by Googlers who had pure intentions of improving the world.
Eating at restaurants which I choose by reading reviews, watching photos and even getting there I was doing by using Google Maps.
But, as many other people, I just did not know about this community. The community that provided me all of this useful information, increasing the quality of my life unknowingly.
This all changed when I met an amazing person, @Ale5ander , 2 years ago.
He was one of those people who provided me that useful information, apparently.
Slowly, I got to know about the Local Guides program and how they were impacting Google Maps and in the same time the world.
This felt like my opportunity. My chance to finally have an impact on society!
Just a bit later in January 2019, I was traveling to Morocco and that is where I started writing reviews.
It nearly became an addiction, as I was writing reviews of all of the places I have been to the past months, in the morning under the chants of the Islamic prayers.
I became a better version of myself, Stephen 2.0.
Stephen 2.0 is finally helping the world, having an impact on society, even by doing something fun and addictive!
Since then, I wrote a whopping 532 reviews and uploaded 3.733 photos of those places.
Every time I see that someone liked my review, or receive an email from Google how many times my photos were viewed, it warms my heart.
Last year, I was lucky enough to attend Connect Live 2019.
It was heart-warming to meet and talk to fellow Local Guides who share this one objective: ‘Make the world a better place’.
So many times during the presentations by Googlers, throwing those gigantic numbers at us about what kind of impact we are making, made me have goosebumps and tears in my eyes.
Yes, being a Local Guide means a lot to me, I feel fulfilled finally.
Glad to share this with you,
Stephen
Me in Marrakech, Morocco, January 2019. Don’t worry, in the meantime I became pescatarian. 
Together with lovely Local Guides from all over the world, at Connect Live 2019.
. Good luck and hope to meet you again!
