Trust is built through action.

Respecting dignity and choice

People should be able to express their priorities, ask questions and decide whether to participate. Their stories belong to them. Images and accounts used to describe an initiative should respect their dignity and never reduce a person to a difficulty they face.

For Rise for Africa, recognising this freedom of choice is a starting point. It means clear information, attention to vulnerability and respect for a refusal. A relationship is also judged by the freedom it allows.

Making participation meaningful

An invitation to a meeting does not guarantee participation. Timing, language, accessibility, caring responsibilities and power relationships can influence whose voice is heard. We want these questions considered while initiatives are being prepared.

Building together also means explaining what can be decided collectively, what belongs to a particular responsibility and what remains open. Disagreement can be useful when it is heard and discussed respectfully.

Giving contributions a clear framework

A collaboration should make its purpose, roles, resources, main stages and review arrangements understandable. Commitments should match the means actually available. An initiative being prepared should be described as such.

The same applies to communication: distinguish an ambition from an outcome, a proposed initiative from completed work and an illustrative photograph from a field report. Trust depends on information that can be explained and verified.

Learning and adapting

Useful monitoring goes beyond counting activities. It helps people understand who could participate, what changed, what worked less well and what should be adjusted. Feedback from those concerned should inform that reflection.

An initiative may encounter difficulties. Recognising them creates opportunities to learn and make better decisions. We want this ability to learn to inform how initiatives are prepared, carried out and communicated.

Welcoming questions and concerns

Questions, suggestions and concerns deserve careful attention. The contact form lets you send a message to the team. For a sensitive matter, avoid sharing another person’s personal information without their agreement. An initial message can simply explain the nature of your enquiry.