Having the right attitude

The following topics are often hotly debated and may cause strong disagreements among some. Our intention is not to offend or make anyone uncomfortable. However, these issues should not be hushed up or trivialized. They are important topics that affect our current lives and are highly significant to us as an organization.

Taking pictures in the project

There is one issue, in particular, we want to raise awareness of. As an organization in the volunteering sector, especially in the age of social media, we want to emphasize the importance of privacy and respect for our fellow human beings.

You have likely seen many “great” adventurous images online when searching for volunteering abroad. We want to make it clear that in our projects, it is not allowed to take pictures of children and locals without their permission. Under no circumstances should pictures of kids without clothes, or improperly dressed, be taken or published while they are under your care. The intimate privacy of every individual must always be respected. This applies equally to youth and adults. Always ask for permission in the same way you would want someone to ask you before posting your image online. Seek approval from the manager and parents if it is okay to publish a picture of their children, or choose to post something without showing their faces.

Please always keep in mind: how would you feel if someone posted pictures of your young siblings, children, or yourself without your knowledge?

Also, no one is perfect—we’ve all done this at some point. For example, being on holiday in another country, taking some photos of a cute situation and maybe later posting them on social media or “just” sending them to a family member or friend. None of us did this with bad intentions but perhaps without questioning our actions. We can still learn from each other and change some habits for the better. What do you think?

You may be asking yourself now: but doesn’t We Are One also publish pictures of children on their website? Yes, that’s true! But all the people in those pictures knew they were being taken for the website, and we obtained permission for each one. None of the images are revealing or inappropriate in any way. We are not saying that you can’t take pictures and publish them but we are saying that you should respect everyone’s intimate privacy as if it were your own.

Ethical & Responsible Volunteering

Our mission as an organization is to foster positive impacts among people—whether you are a participant or one of the employees you meet in our projects. The goal is to learn from and share life experiences with each other.

It wouldn’t reflect the right attitude if you came to Tanzania thinking you were here to “save” the locals through your volunteering. As harsh as this might sound, give us the chance to help you understand better. Of course, you can make a difference in your projects and share knowledge that others may not have but it works both ways. The locals also have a wealth of knowledge that might not be part of your own education.

Volunteering, a sensitive topic, often sparks debates across Africa. For example, volunteers sometimes post about schools or their projects, accompanied by donation calls and strong statements like “help the poor Tanzanians.” Often, these posts come from people who have been in a project in Tanzania for just a few weeks. It’s understandable that volunteering in a country that may be less wealthy than your own feels rewarding and it’s natural to want to share that pride. However, it’s important to choose your words carefully and consider the impact they have on how another country is perceived.

We are not saying that you cannot make a difference in your project during your time here but we want you to respect Tanzania for the strong country it is.

We hope that you view your volunteering or internship in Tanzania with We Are One Africa as an opportunity for learning and exchanging knowledge with those around you, advancing your studies and your future back home, becoming more open-minded and appreciating different cultures. This experience should help you see the world in a new light.

Please always remember: every single one of us has the same value, regardless of our level of education, wealth, travel experiences, life opportunities, or self-confidence.

Join us now and be part of our movement!