An Ethical Dilemma

Dzaleka Refugee Camp with GoodVision Glasses:

When I learned we would be working with Good Vision to provide eye testing and glasses to Dzaleka Refugee Camp, I didn’t know what to expect. I’d never been to a refugee camp before, but Dzaleka was nothing like how I imagined one to be. Upon arrival, we were given a tour. The camp seemed like any other town we had passed through in Malawi— filled with people and bustling with businesses and other activities.    

We were warned that taking photos of people can put their lives in danger; this was a shocking reminder of the harsh realities faced by refugees: a life marked by danger, uncertainty, and fear—despite any outward appearances of normalcy.   

Hearing this reminded me of the famous National Geographic portrait of a girl in a refugee camp, Sharbat Gula, who wasn’t aware her photo was taken. It made me think of the ethical dilemmas and potential risks of photographing people in such vulnerable environments like Dzaleka and other refugee camps. Taking someone's photo is an act of intrusion; you are taking something from them, so it demands respect and sensitivity, especially in such delicate contexts. Reflecting on this, I think that in the future I will be more aware of what I’m taking from someone when I photograph them, and evaluate any situation based on my personal set of values.