We are delighted to share Bryanna Ashong’s incredible reflections on what she’s learned from a summer of connecting with One World Together’s community partners, Global Citizens and young change-makers. We’re so grateful to her for her passion and commitment through her internship, and to the wonderful InTent for making her position possible with their support. Please join us as we wish Bryanna a world of stimulation and success as she embarks upon her next adventure – a year studying abroad in Japan! And we can’t wait to share her stories with you in the coming months.
Hi everyone, my name is Bryanna Ashong, and over the summer I’ve had the privilege of working as a Solidarity & Communications Intern with the incredible organisation that is One World Together.
As my internship comes to a close, I want to share some of the lessons I’ve learned, the voices that have inspired me, and why I believe we need to move from saviourism to solidarity.
For too long, aid has been built on saviourism — a system never truly designed to empower the people it was meant to support.
During my time at One World Together, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing our changemakers — students at the University of Manchester and our global citizens who donate to the movement. Their perspectives struck me so deeply that I knew I had to share them.
Rachel, with over 20 years’ experience in fundraising, described One World Together as “an antidote to the colonial framework of international development.” Laura put it simply: “When you are not part of saviourism, you are part of the solution.”
And Eddie reminded me of the urgency: while global aid budgets are shrinking, the needs of communities have not gone away. The current system is broken — and people are waking up to that reality.
This is where One World Together comes in.
We’ve created The New 1% — a movement of everyday people choosing solidarity over saviourism. Every month, ordinary people like you and me contribute small amounts, starting from just £1.25, into the Solidarity Fund.
Rachel, one of our global citizens, put it beautifully: “The pound is more than the exchange value it represents — it’s a statement. Like a vote.”
Pooling these small gifts creates something extraordinary. As Shrestha, a fellow intern, said: “Real change happens when the ground changes, not just the scenery on top of it.” That’s the essence of solidarity: trust, agency, and generosity without conditions.
One of the most inspiring parts of my internship has been learning from our partners — organisations who embody solidarity every day:
Through conversations with these partners, I realised just how vital flexibility in funding is. The Solidarity Fund doesn’t come with strings attached — it gives communities the power to act on what matters most to them, in real time. That’s what trust-based giving looks like.
As I finish my internship, I’m left with one clear conviction: saviourism is out, solidarity is in.
I want you to imagine a world where millions of people are part of The New 1% — each giving just a little, but together transforming how communities are supported. A world where grassroots organisations don’t have to fight through bureaucracy, but can act the moment their communities need them.
This isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s already happening. And with your help, it can grow into a global movement.
Solidarity is urgent. The time to act is now. If ever there was a moment to believe that ordinary people can have extraordinary power, this is it.
👉 Join the New 1% today
Thank you for letting me share my journey with you. It has been an immense privilege to spend this summer amplifying the voices of communities and partners who are showing the world what solidarity looks like in action.
Bryanna Ashong
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