Safeguarding Policy.

Medical Connect Africa Limited, Protection of children and vulnerable people

Company registration / TIN number: 203108648. Registered office: Ward Olturoto, near Ilbotu Secondary School, P.O. Box 287, Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania. Contact: medicalconnectafrica@gmail.com

Last updated: June 2026 (Version 1.0)

1. Purpose and our commitment

1.1 Medical Connect Africa Limited ("Medical Connect Africa", "we", "us" or "our") is committed to protecting children and vulnerable people from harm. Many of our Volunteers are placed in hospitals, clinics, schools, nurseries and community settings where they may come into contact with children and vulnerable people.

1.2 We have zero tolerance for any form of abuse, exploitation, neglect or harm of children or vulnerable people. This Policy sets out the standards we expect and the steps we take to keep people safe.

1.3 This Policy forms part of our Terms and Conditions of Participation. Every Volunteer must read, understand and comply with it.

2. Scope

2.1 This Policy applies to all Volunteers, and to our directors, staff and representatives, at all times during a Program, including at the accommodation, at Placements, and during activities and outings.

2.2 It applies to contact with children and vulnerable people whether that contact is planned or unplanned, and whether it is in person or through images, messaging or online.

3. Definitions

3.1 A "child" is any person under the age of 18.

3.2 A "vulnerable person" is any person who, because of age, illness, disability or other circumstances, may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation. This includes many patients in a healthcare setting.

3.3 "Abuse" includes physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect, and financial exploitation. Abuse may be a single act or repeated, and may take place in person or online.

4. Our safeguarding principles

4.1 The welfare of children and vulnerable people is always our first priority.

4.2 Everyone has a role in safeguarding, and a concern must never be ignored.

4.3 We act in a way that is fair, prompt and consistent, and we take every concern seriously.

5. Volunteer eligibility and screening

5.1 All Volunteers must be aged 18 or over.

5.2 By booking, each Volunteer confirms that they have no criminal record or other history that would make them unsuitable to work with or near children or vulnerable people. We may ask for further information, and we may decline or end participation where we have concerns.

5.3 If we become aware that a Volunteer has a relevant criminal record or history that was not disclosed, we may remove them from the Program immediately and without refund.

6. Expected behaviour around children and vulnerable people

6.1 Volunteers must always treat children and vulnerable people with respect, dignity and care, and must act within the rules of the Host Institution and any supervising staff.

6.2 Volunteers must not:

(a) be alone with, or unsupervised around, a child or vulnerable person;

(b) engage in any physical contact that is unnecessary, inappropriate or unwanted;

(c) form personal relationships with, or share personal contact details or social media with, a child or vulnerable person;

(d) give gifts to, or show favouritism towards, individual children; or

(e) use, possess or share any material that could harm or exploit a child or vulnerable person.

7. Supervision and boundaries

7.1 Contact with children must always be supervised by appropriate Host Institution staff. Volunteers must never place themselves in a one-to-one, unsupervised situation with a child or vulnerable person.

7.2 If a Volunteer finds themselves alone with a child or vulnerable person, they must move to a place where others are present and report the situation to the Safeguarding Lead.

8. Photography, images and social media

8.1 Volunteers must not photograph or film children, patients or vulnerable people without the express permission of the Host Institution and, where required, the individual or their parent or guardian.

8.2 Images of children or vulnerable people must never be shared on social media or elsewhere in a way that identifies them or reveals personal or medical information.

8.3 These requirements apply in addition to the Photography, media and marketing terms in our Terms and Conditions.

9. Clinical and activity boundaries

9.1 Volunteers must act only within the scope of their qualifications, and only as permitted by the Host Institution and Tanzanian law.

9.2 Volunteers must never carry out any procedure, treatment or task involving a child, patient or vulnerable person that they are not qualified, competent or authorised to perform.

10. Recognising abuse and harm

10.1 Signs of abuse or harm may include unexplained injuries, marked changes in behaviour, fear of a particular person, or a disclosure made by a child or vulnerable person. This list is not exhaustive.

10.2 Volunteers are not expected to decide whether abuse has taken place. They are expected to report any concern promptly.

11. Reporting a concern

11.1 Any Volunteer who has a concern about the safety or welfare of a child or vulnerable person, or who witnesses or suspects abuse, must report it immediately to the Safeguarding Lead, and to Host Institution staff where the concern arises at a Placement.

11.2 Concerns should be reported to the Safeguarding Lead at medicalconnectafrica@gmail.com. In an emergency, or where someone is in immediate danger, contact the local emergency services first.

11.3 A concern must not be ignored, and a Volunteer must never attempt to investigate or resolve a safeguarding concern on their own.

12. Responding to a disclosure

12.1 If a child or vulnerable person discloses abuse, the Volunteer should listen calmly, take it seriously, avoid asking leading questions, and not promise to keep it secret.

12.2 The Volunteer should make a written note of what was said as soon as possible, using the person’s own words where possible, and pass it to the Safeguarding Lead without delay.

13. The Safeguarding Lead

13.1 Medical Connect Africa has appointed Noel Godson Kivuyo as its Safeguarding Lead. The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for receiving and acting on safeguarding concerns, keeping records, and liaising with Host Institutions and the relevant authorities where necessary.

13.2 The Safeguarding Lead, Noel Godson Kivuyo, can be contacted at medicalconnectafrica@gmail.com.

14. Confidentiality and information sharing

14.1 Safeguarding information is sensitive and is shared only with those who need to know in order to protect a child or vulnerable person.

14.2 Where we believe a child or vulnerable person is at risk, we may share information with the Host Institution, the relevant authorities or emergency services, in line with the law and our Privacy Policy.

15. Consequences of a breach

15.1 Any breach of this Policy is treated as a serious matter. A Volunteer who breaches this Policy may be removed from the Program immediately and without refund.

15.2 Where appropriate, we will report a breach to the Host Institution and to the relevant authorities.

16. Host institutions

16.1 Host Institutions may have their own safeguarding rules and procedures. Volunteers must follow those rules in addition to this Policy.

16.2 Where a Host Institution’s rules are stricter than this Policy, the stricter rule applies.

17. Review and contact

17.1 We review this Policy from time to time and update it as needed. The current version is available on our website.

17.2 Any question about this Policy, or any safeguarding concern, should be sent to medicalconnectafrica@gmail.com.