At Just You, we believe that travel should positively impact those that we interact with and to make a true impact in the communities we visit, which is why we actively work to ensure child welfare is protected around the world where we operate.
Children and young people are not tourist attractions and should be treated and communicated with respect — just like you would at home. Always ask permission of parents or guardians before taking pictures. Do not take pictures if people are clearly uncomfortable or pictures that do not respect their dignity. Be aware that any use or sharing of any photographs, either offline or online, of children must protect their rights and privacy. Don’t ask children to pose for a photograph for money or gifts.
We do not include visits to schools, as they are disruptive to children’s education and interrupting a lesson is never okay and something we would not do in our own country. There are better ways to learn about local life than school classroom visits.
Don’t give money, food, or buy from begging or selling children, as this keeps them out of school and encourages begging. Over time this behaviour can force children to stay out of school to beg, leading to a cycle of dependency and poverty. If you wish to make a donation, then we would recommend Planeterra who help youths and their families.
