When we think of Africa, images of deserts, wild nature, and complex social challenges often come to mind. Stereotypes can strongly influence how we perceive this continent. But what does it look like from the other side? What does an average Kenyan think of Poland? Does our country evoke winter landscapes, “polar bears” roaming the streets, or… something entirely different?For us at HumanDOC, the answer to these questions is more than just a curiosity—it is the key to building authentic relationships based on understanding and respect. Through a project we are running in Kenya, we aim to bring our worlds closer together, moving beyond media stereotypes.

This approach lies at the core of our philosophy: Design Optimal Change, where people, community, and shared problem-solving are our main focus.

How do we operate?

We want to understand how Poland and Poles are portrayed in Kenyan media. Together with researchers from the University of Opole and consultants from Kenya, we are analysing articles, television programs, and online content to identify the prevailing opinions about our country. This allows us to pinpoint where emphasis should be placed, and which stereotypes we can work together to overcome.

The next step is to invite Kenyan journalists to Poland. During their visit, we aim to show them our reality up close—taking them to the places where the everyday life of Polish cities and towns unfolds, sharing our culture, and above all, creating a space for genuine exchange. It’s not about “educating” them but about showing Poland in its natural light, as it truly is.

Campaign in Kenya

The experiences gathered by the journalists during their study visit will serve as the foundation for creating an information campaign in Kenyan media. Our goal is to ensure that the message about Poland is not only accurate but also tailored to what is meaningful to the Kenyan audience. We want to create a campaign that resonates with their daily lives, aspirations, and real interests. Working alongside Kenyan journalists, including those in the Association of Grassroot Journalists Kenya (AGJK), we strive to craft content that will thoughtfully and genuinely bring our communities closer together.

Why does all of this matter?

Mutual understanding is the foundation of global education, which underpins our project. Kenya is becoming an increasingly important economic and tourism partner for us, as well as a source of students and professionals coming to Poland. Mutual understanding is essential if we want collaboration between our countries to flourish in a spirit of respect and coexistence. By implementing a project focused on education and breaking stereotypes, we aim for true interpersonal connections, believing that by doing so, we create a space for a safer and more open world for everyone.

Global Understanding – Local Security

The HumanDOC project is part of our work in global education—a concept aimed at fostering understanding between countries of the Global South and the Global North. Such initiatives allow us, despite distances and cultural differences, to build a sense of global community and security, which are the foundations for peaceful international cooperation.