How I became an Ally from not giving a shit

Connecting grassroots human rights defenders in Kenya and their allies.

cultures of information

challenge

How can we support grassroots activism and find new, alternative ways to form alliances?

designers

Daeun Lim

partners

Justice & Peace

Francis

designers

Daeun Lim

Francis goes up against social injustice in his native Kenya. And, as so many grassroot activists like him, he goes at it mostly on his own. Together, designer Daeun Lim and Francis developed a much-needed support system for grassroots activists that fosters international micro-alliances. The digital platform unifies activists and shows how everyone can become an ally, regardless of geographical distance or level of involvement.

partners

Justice & Peace

Francis

Grassroots: strong yet vulnerable

Grassroots activists are citizens that turn to activism as a reaction to intense local injustice. They are particularly vulnerable because they are not part of an organisation and lack proper financial and professional support. They often operate alone, and consequently face more challenges than established organisations. In these circumstances, they sorely lack a network that connects them and acts as a two-fold safety net, both digital and physical.

Grassroots: strong yet vulnerable

Grassroots activists are citizens that turn to activism as a reaction to intense local injustice. They are particularly vulnerable because they are not part of an organisation and lack proper financial and professional support. They often operate alone, and consequently face more challenges than established organisations. In these circumstances, they sorely lack a network that connects them and acts as a two-fold safety net, both digital and physical.

Francis goes up against social injustice in his native Kenya. And, as so many grassroot activists like him, he goes at it mostly on his own. Together, designer Daeun Lim and Francis developed a much-needed support system for grassroots activists that fosters international micro-alliances. The digital platform unifies activists and shows how everyone can become an ally, regardless of geographical distance or level of involvement.

The challenges Francis faces

In 2018, Francis focused on documenting cases and collecting evidence of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in the informal settlements in Nairobi during the disputed presidential election (2017). Francis, like many fellow Kenyan activists, is continuously targeted by the government with intimidation, blackmailing, illegal arrests and death threats.

On becoming an ally

Daeun visualised her collaboration with Francis in drawings and illustrations. She described the journey as a transformation: how I’m becoming an ally from not giving a shit. Along the way, Daeun discovered alternative ways of supporting grassroots activists — such as following their social media accounts — and organised them according to empathy levels. In doing so, she redefines the idea of alliances, what they look like and the way they come about.