Jefferson M. and me. We’ve known each other long enough he’s grown quite accustomed to my repeated asking of ‘May I use your photo? May I share your story?‘
Stories shape us as humans.
They have the ability to help us learn about others and to find connection and empathy for them/their situation even if their lived experience is entirely dissimilar to ours.
By harnessing the power of storytelling, nonprofits are able to effectively communicate missions, engage audiences, and drive positive change in the world.
The stories of our Upili Participants will always be at the core of our mission. These narratives capture the real-life impact of our efforts in ways statistics and data cannot. More than simply stories they are glimpses into the lives we touch and the community of Youth with Disabilities we strive to impact.
In essence, through sharing the stories of the students and families with whom we work, Upili is inviting you to become more than an observer.
We are encouraging you to become active participants in our shared mission of creating positive, rippling change in lives of Students with Disabilities and in mitigating the stigma of disability across Kenya.
Ethical Storytelling
At Upili we are committed to following the framework of ethical storytelling.
Ethical storytelling, guided by principles of respect, integrity, and accountability, means anything we share is done with the backdrop of Participant first and everyone and everything else second.
What does this look like?
- Respect and Dignity: We are committed to recognizing the dignity and humanity of our Participants and their communities. We avoid sensationalizing words and strive to represent them in an empowering manner.
- Informed (and enthusiastic!) Consent: Before we will share a story we obtain informed consent. We ensure there is clear understanding how and where the story will be used and remind Participants (repeatedly) they have the right to revoke their consent at any time.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Upili’s storytelling involves an understanding and respect for the layered cultural context in which the stories are situated. We are mindful of cultural nuances, traditions, and differences and share accordingly.
- We Amplify…we are not involved: Upili aims to empower Participants, their families and the communities they represent through the stories we tell. We amplify their voices and perspectives; we never speak on their behalf. Whenever possible we allow Participants to share their own narratives in their own words.
Through our commitment to the tenets of ethical storytelling, we at Upili not only amplify the voices of the historically excluded we cultivate an environment of respect, transparency, positive social impact and trust within that community.
In essence, ethical storytelling is not only about the tales we tell—it’s about the world we shape and the values we uphold with each narrative we share.
