We Got the Shot. But Did We Protect the Human?

By Faith Nyamai | Development Communication Specialist

There is a moment many communication professionals know too well.

You are in the field. The light is good. The setting tells a powerful story. Someone is willing to talk. You have your camera, your notebook, your questions—and suddenly, you see the shot.

The photograph that could bring the project to life.

The image that could make a donor stop scrolling.

The picture that could help people understand what is happening in a community they may never visit.

So you take it.

But somewhere between pressing the shutter and preparing the story for publication, there is a question we don't ask often enough:

Did we get the shot at the expense of the person?

This is a question I have learned to take seriously over the years.

As a Development Communication Specialist, I have spent years documenting the work of NGOs and development programmes. I understand the pressure. We need compelling stories. We need photographs that communicate impact. We need content that helps organisations demonstrate results and connect with donors, partners and the public.

But I have also learned something equally important:

A powerful story is not worth much if the person at the centre of it loses their dignity in the process.

People are not content

It is easy, especially when working under pressure, to start seeing people through the lens of a communications product.

A beneficiary.

A case study.

A success story.

A good photograph.

A human-interest story.

These labels may be useful for our work, but they can also make us forget something fundamental.

The person in front of our camera is not a communication asset. They are a human being.

They have a life beyond the project we are documenting. They have fears, relationships, hopes, personal histories and, sometimes, trauma.

And once their photograph, name or story enters the public domain, we cannot always control where it goes or who sees it.

That is why safeguarding should never be treated as a box we tick at the end of a field assignment.

It should be part of the story from the very beginning.

Consent is more than a signature

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that informed consent is not simply handing someone a form and asking them to sign.

Consent should be a conversation.

Does the person understand why we want to photograph or interview them?

Do they understand where the story might appear?

Do they know that the photograph could be shared on social media, websites, reports or by partners?

Do they understand that saying no is an option?

And perhaps most importantly:

Do they genuinely feel free to say no?

This becomes particularly important when we are working with people who may be vulnerable or dependent on the services of an organisation.

A person may agree because they believe saying no could affect the assistance they receive.

That is not meaningful consent.

Our responsibility is therefore not simply to obtain permission. It is to make sure the person understands what they are agreeing to and feels able to make that choice freely.

The photograph can have consequences

Before publishing an image, I believe we should ask ourselves a simple question:

What could happen to this person because of this photograph?

Could they face stigma?

Could their family or community react negatively?

Could the image expose them to violence, discrimination or retaliation?

Could it reveal information about their health, financial situation, location or personal circumstances that they did not intend to make public?

Sometimes the answer will be obvious.

Sometimes it will be less obvious.

And sometimes the honest answer is: I'm not sure.

For me, that uncertainty is enough reason to pause.

Because when there is a possibility that our content could cause harm, getting the story out should not be more important than protecting the person.

If the photograph puts someone at risk, it is not the photograph we need.

Beyond the "victim" narrative

There is another challenge we need to confront in development communication: the way we portray people.

For years, the development sector has been criticised for images that reduce people to poverty, suffering and helplessness.

We have all seen them.

The sad face.

The empty plate.

The struggling mother.

The child looking directly into the camera.

The image designed to make the audience feel pity.

These images may generate attention. They may even help raise funds.

But they can also reinforce stereotypes and strip people of agency.

People are more than their problems.

A woman receiving support is not simply a "vulnerable beneficiary."

A young person living in poverty is not simply a "victim."

A community facing drought is not simply a "disaster story."

They are people making decisions, solving problems, raising families, organising communities and trying to build better futures.

Our storytelling should reflect that.

Nothing about us without us.

If we are going to tell someone's story, they should have a voice in how that story is told.

So, what does ethical storytelling look like?

For me, there are three non-negotiables.

1. Informed consent is a process, not a form

Explain what you are doing. Use language the person understands. Be honest about where the content may appear and what the risks could be.

And remember: consent can be withdrawn.

2. Do no harm

Before publishing, stop and think.

Could this image or story expose someone to stigma, violence, discrimination, embarrassment or other harm?

If the answer is "maybe," take another look.

The fact that we can publish something does not mean that we should.

3. Protect people's agency and dignity

Don't only tell stories about what people lack.

Tell stories about what they are doing, what they know, what they have achieved and how they are shaping their own futures.

Let people be participants in their stories—not simply subjects of them.

The responsibility behind the camera

Sometimes we talk about communication as if our biggest responsibility is to make people care.

I think there is another responsibility that comes first:

We must make sure that the people whose stories we tell are not harmed in the process of making others care.

That requires slowing down.

It requires asking uncomfortable questions.

It requires being willing to leave the camera in the bag when the circumstances are not right.

And sometimes, it means walking away from the perfect photograph.

That can be difficult.

Especially when you know the image could make a report stronger, a campaign more compelling or a donor presentation more memorable.

But there are moments when the most professional communication decision is not to publish.

Because development communication is not about extracting stories from people.

It is about amplifying voices.

And amplification should never come at the cost of dignity.

So the next time we are in the field, camera in hand, looking for that powerful image, perhaps we should ask ourselves one more question before we press the shutter:

We got the shot. But did we protect the human?

If the answer is yes, then perhaps we haven't just captured a story.

We have told it responsibly.

STRATEGIES FOR INCREASING SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS

 

How to increase social media followers, become more interactive, and engage followers

1. Use hashtags - Find out the trending hashtags related to your post and use them regularly.

- This will draw people and companies doing similar work as you are doing to follow         your page and see your tweets and posts.

2. Use short videos - People are more attracted to videos. Tweets and posts with videos receive more viewership.
3. Regular posting- Stay active and tweet regularly on your page.

             -Retweet other people's or organisations tweets.

4. Promote your Twitter profile or page to other users- Send emails and messages to friends and influencers, requesting that they follow your page on Facebook.
5. Tag other people or organisations in your tweets and social media posts-This will attract more people to your X page.

- Mention other people in your tweets or social media posts to attract more followers.

6. Engage with other users- by liking and commenting on their tweets and social media message.

- This will prompt the users to follow your page and start following your page.

7. Post between 12 and 3 p.m., and from 5 to 6 p.m- Surveys conducted by HubSpot revealed that these are the best times to post, as more people are likely to be online.
8. Use social media flyers and high-quality photos -Adding a flyer and photos to your post makes your tweet pop.
9. Follow other people on social media-When you follow someone on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media pages, chances are they will follow you back.
10. Promote your social media message-Social media pages provide an opportunity for people to use paid advertisements to promote their posts and pages, thereby attracting more people to your post or page.
11. Social media campaigns-For social media campaigns, promote your campaign using social media advertising (social media pages like Facebook, LinkedIn, and X allow users to use paid ads and select their target audience, hence increasing their social media engagement).
12. Use multiple tweets or live tweeting -For X page, using multiple tweets will cause traffic on your page, hence increasing your social media interactions and engagement.

Steps of creating and implementing a strategic communication plan

 

Strategic communications is the process of planning, carrying out, and evaluating the effectiveness of communication activities to meet specified organisational or personal objectives.

Here are some stages to help you create and implement a strategic communication plan: 

1. Define your objectives. Clearly describe the particular goals you hope to achieve through your communication efforts. These could include creating awareness, generating leads, improving revenue, or fostering brand loyalty. 

2. Identify your target audience. Determine who you want to reach with your message. Consider demographics, psychographics, and behaviour when identifying your target audience. 

3. Analyse your competitors: Investigate your competitors' communication methods to determine what works for them and what holes or possibilities you can fill.

4. Create a distinctive value proposition: Clearly describe the distinct benefits and value that your product, service, or concept provides to your target audience. This will help you differentiate yourself from competitors and make your message more attractive. 

5. Select the finest communication methods. Identify the most effective means for contacting your target audience, such as social media, email, events, or traditional advertising. 

6. Develop a content strategy: Create a content plan tailored to your target audience's specific demands and interests. This could include blog articles, infographics, videos, and other content that educates, entertains, or inspires your target audience. 

7. Monitor and measure your results: Use measures like engagement, click-through rates, conversion rates, and return on investment (ROI) to assess the effectiveness of your communications initiatives. Use this information to fine-tune your plan and increase your performance over time. 

By following these steps, you can create and implement a strategic communications plan that will help you achieve your objectives and establish a strong relationship with your target audience.

Nurturing Self-Value: The Key to Personal Growth

 

Self-value is a critical component of personal growth and well-being. It encompasses people's views and opinions of their own worth, ability, and potential. According to research, a high sense of self-value promotes resilience, motivation, and overall life happiness.

Self-awareness is essential for developing self-esteem.

Understanding one's own strengths, flaws, and values lays the groundwork for developing a positive self-image.

Reflective methods like blogging or mindfulness can help with this process, allowing people to recognise their distinct features and successes.

Setting and completing realistic goals is also important for increasing self-esteem. Individuals' confidence in their abilities and competence is strengthened when they complete tasks and milestones.

Furthermore, surrounding oneself with a supportive network of friends, family, and mentors has a substantial impact on self-esteem. Positive interactions offer encouragement, constructive feedback, and a sense of belonging, all of which help to foster a positive self-image.

In today's fast-paced environment, comparison often leads to feelings of inadequacy. Therefore, it is imperative to practice self-compassion and embrace imperfections. Recognizing that everyone has their own journey and challenges helps in developing a more forgiving and nurturing attitude towards oneself.

Cultivating self-value is an ongoing process that needs self-awareness, goal-setting, constructive connections, and self-compassion. Prioritising these aspects allows people to embark on a road of personal growth, resilience, and fulfilment.

Five habits to achieve your weight loss goal

Photo- Courtesy -istockphoto.com/photo

Are you struggling to achieve your desired weight loss goal?  Well, below are the five habits that you can develop.

1.     Regular exercise

Exercise is considered as one of the most preferred health habits that one must have. For people desiring to lose weight, an increased and regular exercise can help to shed off some weight that one has accumulated over the years due to unhealthy eating habits.

Having too much weight can lower self-esteem for many people and can be so uncomfortable. Exercise has many benefits including lowering levels of depression, stress, and anxiety.

Through exercise, the body metabolism is lowered, and one can burn many calories in a day.

Regular exercise can also help maintain lean body mass and thus help increase the number of calories one needs to burn each day to lose weight.

2.    Fasting

When one is determined to lose weight, it is important to cooperate with intermittent fasting in their plan.  This involves skipping one or two meals each day. It may also include doing away with certain kinds of foods.

Intermittent fasting is mostly recommended to beginners because it does not require one to use more energy like in regular exercising. Prolonged fasting causes the body to burn more calories of the food consumed and start to burn fat. In the long run, one ends up losing more weight and achieving their goal.

3.     Eating low portions of food

Eating large portions of food can result in adding more kilograms than is recommended. People who eat more frequently also risk gaining many pounds which may cause them to be overweight or even obese if they don’t take action.

When one is determined to lose weight, nutrition specialists usually recommend that the person should reduce the amount of food they consume each day.

It is important to reduce foods with high calories, sugars, and facts

4.     Avoiding junk food

Eating Junk foods such as fried potatoes, processed foods, sugary drinks, cakes, alcoholic drinks among others are considered unhealthy and can lead to increased weight loss.

When one is desiring to lose weight, it is important to avoid these kinds of foods as they contain high calories.

Increased intake of foods with high calories results in increased weight. Hence when in a journey to cut weight, one should consider eating low calorie foods.

5.     Taking dinner two hours before going to bed

Most families eat their dinner late in the evening just a few minutes to bed. This has caused many to have increased body mass while others are obese. The most affected are children, who later end up being obese as their parents give them dinner just before taking them to bed.

Taking dinner at least one hour or two hours before bedtime allows the body to digest the food and reduces chances of adding too much weight.

 

To arrive to your desired weight, one must be intentional and adapt to these tips

 

10 Innovative ways African teachers can supplement their income.

           

 By  FAITH NYAMAI

The Covid 19 pandemic  exposed major gaps in the education sector in Africa with learners being forced to study at home.

Failure to integrate technology in learning left many children especially those in public schools disadvantaged  even as their counterparts in the private sector continued with their syllabus. Although some countries in Africa reopened schools, colleges, and universities in June, most of the countries have been cautious to reopen. 

In most of the countries, the education sector has been going through various transformation with countries adopting to the competency-based curriculum to enable learners acquire skills that will place them in global competition.

Education stakeholders and African leaders have been asking governments to increase budgetary allocation and increase resources in the education sector to make education more inclusive and accessible to all children.

According to head of ICT Zetech University Dan Njeru the rise of population, the permeation of literacy and availability of educational materials has led to the establishment of new learning institutions, both in private and public sectors, to meet the ever-increasing demand.

“Kenya in particular, being cognizant the leapfrogging opportunities that come with digital economy has ambitiously embarked on reconstructing the education system and curriculum. With the proposed Competency-based curriculum, both learners and educators are required to sharpen their digital skills and competences,” he said

Across the continent, teachers have resulted to using innovative ideas to keep learners in school after the education system was halted by the pandemic.

Below are ten innovative ways African teachers can supplement their incomes especially during this pandemic season.

Virtual teaching.

The closure of schools put pressure on teachers and governments across the world to engage learners in studies while at home.

Several companies have been developing different apps to help teachers teach their students.

For teachers to create a Google classroom, they create a class and include the emails of all their students.

The students are given a classroom code if not invited via email.

A teacher creates assignment and send it to the students, the students do and submit it back to the teacher. The teacher then grades the assignment and submits results.

Mr Njeru who is also helping teachers teach their students at home has created am app that is helping teachers.

“Experienced teachers should consider leveraging their skills and competences during this season to teach and train learners on particular skills especially practical skills,” Mr Njeru

Home schooling

Homeschooling is a key area which teachers should embrace during the pandemic. The programme enables teachers and parents to ensure learners continue with their studies while at home.

Teachers can use the programme to tuition their students and earn money while at home.

According to Sarah Maiwa, the homeschooling trainer in Africa, the programme builds confidence without necessarily putting pressure on them to pass exams.

The trainer, who is also a trained teacher has helped her two children to become more confident, honest and has built their integrity levels.

Among the advantages of homeschooling she said, is that it also helps fast learners to go their pace, unlike the conventional school system where all learners move together at once from one class to another.

“Homeschoolers are self-motivates as the system allows awards learners on merit. The learner sets her goal in a goal card and works hard to achieve them,” she said

Language training

In many African countries, the language barrier has remained a major challenge especially in rural areas where children use the local languages.

For a teacher, training children and adult learners who are unable to communicate fluently in either English, French, Germany, Swahili, or any other language is a key innovative idea that they should embrace.

According to Mr Njeru many Africans have considered learning at least one foreign language so as to compete favorably in the ever-evolving African market.

“Teachers who are teaching these languages at various levels should consider the larger public and offer online courses at a reasonable cost,” he said.

Creating  educational content

Learners, especially in institutions of higher learning have always relied on online tutorials, most of these tutorials are not developed from the African context and so educators should consider developing local content.

Mr Njeru said, teachers should be keen in developing various educational content such as tutorials, videos or voice recording and books that would benefit learners of different ages.

For primary and secondary school teachers, they should develop content that suits their learners depending on ages and level of study.

Online mentoring of students

The closure of learning institutions in Covid season has left learners, many of whom, are teenagers with lots of free time.

Mr Njeru said there is a need for such learners to be engaged in constructive forums where they not only receive constant guide on how to maximize the time they have but also be engaged in fun activities that can keep them focused.

“A students’ mentorship program online would be a good opportunity not only for a teacher to utilize his or her passion but also for the learners to be engaged in a more focused and constructive manner,” said Mr Njeru.

Educational Website

The use of technology has become a a global necessity in the 21st century. Mr Njeru said any purposeful online community has resulted to be rewarding. Websites have been attracting traffic online with most of the young people getting into the internet to acquire different kinds of knowledge.

“Tech savvy teachers should consider developing their own websites and sell content either via affiliate marketing or direct selling educational electronic resources,” he said

Proofreader and Transcription

According to the ICT head, proofreading services are not only needed for academic documents but also for technical documents in various companies.

During the pandemic when many companies are considering virtual workers, a language teacher could consider to establish proofreading and transcription business, he said.

“With many companies holding virtual meetings, services such transcription of zoom meeting recordings, calendar management for executives among others would be valuable for teachers,” he said.

Virtual Teaching Assistant

During the Covid 19 pandemic, many instructors in institutions of higher learning appreciate a professional who can assist to convert their long developed content into formats that can be used in blended learning, these formats can be animated videos, PowerPoint presentations and of course multiple-choice questions for evaluations at various levels.

Mr Njeru said teachers should consider this as a venture during the Covid 19 pandemic season as they make an extra income.

“ To be a virtual teaching assistant, teachers should invest in technology as a way of improving on their skills, “he said.

Scholarship consultant

Even with learning processes being halted across many countries, many education enthusiast and learners are still looking for post-covid favorable scholarships to further their education.

Guiding and leading such people through various application processes would be a rewarding opportunity for teachers in this season as they wait for the opening of schools.

YouTube content creation

Content creators, comedians, and the entire entertainment industry has been seen as very proactive in developing content on YouTube.

“Teachers should consider being more intentional in creating such content for learners and earn income via YouTube and other social media platforms,” he said.

Globally, some teachers have invested in Youtube content and have students who subscribe to their channels to learn.

Recreational service providers for learners.

Musically inclined teachers should consider offering online classes to learners especially the young ones during this COVID season.

Other recreational activities would be art and craft, fine arts, online musical instruments training among others.

Trevi fountain is a must visit while on your tour to Rome, Italy

BY FAITH NYAMAI

If you are looking for your next tourist destination to spend your holiday, the city of Rome in Italy is the place to visit.

In the town lies the Trevi fountain, and as they say, if you will have to visit, it’s important to consider waiting until it starts turning dark to experience the beauty and splendour that comes with the artistic structure.

The beautiful features are the artistic work of three men standing on top of rock-like structures. And the water flowing like spring from the rocks and settling on the floor to make an ocean look.

The reason behind its romantic feeling is probably its origin and the name, which is associated with love.

The water, given the names Trevi and Virgin Waters, is associated with a young Roman girl who assisted thirsty soldiers to get water from the spring.

It is also famous after being featured in various movies, the most famous being the romantic “La Dolce Vita,” an Italian film.

With Sh1 million, you will be able to pay for a return ticket for your flight and afford to travel to various destinations in the city.

If you want to travel as a couple or with your family, you may consider setting aside above Sh2 million that will enable you to have a luxurious tour away from Kenya.

You may also consider setting aside a further Sh500, 000 million for other local expenditures and for shopping while on your tour.

As we approached the fountain, we were attracted by the number of tourists from various countries across the world, among the Asians, the white people speaking different languages, and the black people from the African continent.

Many had left their countries with their families for a holiday in Rome, Italy, to visit the magical place, which has now become a must-visit while in Rome.

And as many people believe it is a place of romance, we were attracted by a young man who suddenly proposes to her girlfriend after taking some pictures.

For a rich couple that would want to spoil themselves in a lovely scene, the fountain offers that glamorous feeling that remains a memorable landmark in their memory.

From a distance, you can hear the sound of water falling from the spring and back, creating that coastal feeling.

The fountain is a jewel at the centre of the city that has been attracting people from across the world. Although in most of the cities in Italy there is always a fountain nearby, the Trevi Fountain is the most visited by tourists from all corners of the world.

Once you visit, you will always want to visit because of the beautiful structures that make you want to stay.

Most of those who have ever visited the fountain always find themselves travelling back to tour it over and over again to refresh their memories.

Besides the fountain being a beautiful tourist destination, it is believed to have that magical power that keeps drawing people back to the city.

According to locals, once you are at the fountain and you toss a coin in the air using your right hand over your shoulder and it falls in the water, you will have high chances of finding your way back to Rome for a tour.

A third myth suggests that throwing a coin may lead to a new romance, while a third belief suggests that throwing a coin will lead to marriage.

Because of these beliefs, many tourists from other countries who visit the fountain have found themselves tossing one to three coins when they visit the fountain.

According to Francesco Paulo, a vendor who sells souvenirs to visiting tourists, the tradition and the custom of tossing the coins have caused the Rome municipality to collect the tossed coins occasionally to help the poor.

“In a day when between 2500 and 4000 coins are tossed into the fountain, people come with their families and children just to see the fountain,” he said.

Mr. Antonio Reberto, a photographer, estimated the number of those visiting daily at close to a thousand.

During the day, the numbers are large and continue decreasing as darkness enters. However, the government has ensured there is tight security by deploying security men around the fountain throughout the day and night.

The fountain is the largest in Rome and has remained a source of tourist attraction for decades.

It was completed in 1762 as part of the tradition of building fountains to mark the end of an acqueduct.

Its construction started in the 15^th century; however, in the 17^th century, Pope Clement XII ordered the design to be changed to make it more beautiful. The construction, however, stopped after he died and then competed in 1762.

It was the station point of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct and was used to provide water for bathing soldiers. 

Near Fountain are expensive restaurants with heavy, expressive meals that accommodate the rich, offering them a quiet environment for dinner and lunch.

A tour from Kenya to Rome to visit the fountain using the longest flight offered by Qatar Airways will cost a minimum of Sh 80,117 if you choose Qatar Airways.

From Kenya, it takes five hours to Doha airport and another five hours and 30 minutes to Rome.

While touring the fountain, you can choose to spend your night at the Ibis Styles hotels, which offer world-class accommodations for international visitors.

The hotel room has a wide, comfortable bed, a sofa, and a table that allows you to enjoy your private reading.

A television set that has English channels is also available. In most hotels in the city, most TV stations can only allow one to watch Italian channels. A strong WiFi connection is also provided to the visitors for constant communication, which also allows WhatsApp video calls for one to connect with their family back at home.

A buffet breakfast is offered. The hotel also has a modern restaurant and a bar.

Approximately five minutes’ walk from the hotel is a natural manmade lake that allows one to enjoy the cold breeze throughout the day while on their tour of Rome.

To tour the Trevi fountain from the hotel, one spends up to 60 euros (which is Sh6,528) on a return ticket to use a luxury taxi.

While in Rome, one can also visit the Vatican City, the country of Pope Francis, which has also become a tourist destination for thousands of pilgrims from across the world.