Animal Photojournalism Program Working Animals of Tanzania

WHAT

A three-week animal photojournalism and welfare field program focused on working animals in Tanzania, developed by Voices for Animal Welfare in collaboration with We Animals.

Participants will learn how to document the lives of working animals through ethical photography, storytelling, interviews, observation, and animal welfare science. The program combines online preparation with field immersion in Northern Tanzania.

WHEN

Online Pre-Course: September 24th – October 1st, 2026

Field Module in Tanzania: October 5th – October 18th, 2026

WHERE

Participants will be based in Arusha and move across Northern Tanzania to explore different working animal systems, communities, and field realities.

Working animals support millions of people around the world, yet their welfare often remains invisible. In Tanzania, donkeys, cattle, dogs, and other working animals play an essential role in daily life by helping communities transport goods, access water, protect property, support farming, and sustain livelihoods.

Yet, many working animals face long hours, heavy loads, poor equipment, untreated injuries, exhaustion, dehydration, limited veterinary care, and harsh environmental conditions.

This program exists to make their stories visible. Through ethical photojournalism, storytelling, and animal welfare science, participants will help raise awareness, encourage empathy, and contribute to a broader movement for better recognition, protection, and care.

Because working animals should not have to suffer in silence.

Week 1 — Online Foundations

September 24th – October 1st, 2026

Before traveling to Tanzania, participants will complete an online pre-course designed to prepare them for safe, ethical, and informed fieldwork.

Topics include:

• Working Animals in Tanzania

• Animal Photojournalism

• Photography

• Writing Skills

• Animal Welfare

• Biosecurity & Field Safety

• Ethics & African Cultural Context

Participants will also receive assignments, learning materials, and guidance to help them prepare for fieldwork and develop their storytelling approach.

Weeks 2–3 — Field Immersion in Tanzania

October 5th – October 18th, 2026

Participants will travel across Northern Tanzania to explore the realities of working animals' welfare in different communities and environments.

Through observation, photography, interviews, and welfare assessments, they will document the lives of working animals and the people who depend on them.

Throughout the program, participants will have the opportunity to engage respectfully with local communities, including pastoralist and rural communities, gaining insight into their traditions, livelihoods, and relationships with working animals. These interactions provide valuable cultural context and help participants better understand the complex connections between animal welfare, human wellbeing, and sustainable development.

The field module includes:

• Community visits

• Field activities

• Welfare observation exercises

• Storytelling assignments

• Photography practice

• Preparation for the final exhibition

Examples of animals and systems explored may include working donkeys, cattle and livestock systems, and other working animals encountered during the program.

By the end of the program, participants will produce:

• A documentary photo series with captions and context

• A written feature story based on field observations and interviews

• Welfare observation records documenting working animal realities

• A contribution to the final exhibition

This is NOT a luxury tourism program. Participants should expect camping, simple accommodation, shared spaces, and basic facilities. The program is designed for authentic field immersion, flexibility, and direct contact with local realities.

1. Download the Infopack

Start by reading the full program infopack to understand the schedule, learning content, field conditions, program fee, what is included, and what participants are expected to prepare.

DOWNLOAD IT HERE

2. Register Your Interest

If you are seriously interested in joining the next cohort, complete the Expression of Interest form. Selected candidates will be contacted by email with further details about the registration process and next steps.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE

3. Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to our Animal Photojournalism Newsletter to receive updates about the program, working animal welfare, ethical storytelling, field projects, webinars, and future opportunities with Voices for Animal Welfare.

SUBSCRIBE HERE