Viral

'White saviour Barbie' is here to mock your worthy gap yah abroad

'White saviour Barbie' is here to mock your worthy gap yah abroad

Hipster Barbie caused absolute chaos last year by calling out the bullshit "live authentic" posey, filter-happy Insta shots our friends insist on posting.

The account was, sadly, short-lived, but we are happy to report that a new iteration which goes by the name 'Barbie Savior' has popped up and is taking the right amount of piss your travel shots deserve:

The account, run anonymously, is described as:

Jesus. Adventures. Africa. Two worlds. One love. Babies. Beauty. Not qualified. Called. 20 years young. It's not about me... but it kind of is.

And while it's aimed at American missionary types, don't tell us it doesn't remind you of those terrible kids you met at university and that boring 20-something you went on a Tinder date with who couldn't stop talking about 'exploring'.

Savior Barbie picks up children she doesn't know for her new Facebook profile picture:

Orphans take the BEST pictures! So. Cute. #whatsyournameagain #orphans #wheredemorphansat #kingdomcome #blackbabiesarethecutest #strangers2secondsago #attachmentproblemsarentcute #notazoo

Volunteers for stuff she's totally unqualified to do:

Who needs a formal education to teach in Africa? Not me! All I need is some chalk and a dose of optimism. It's so sad that they don't have enough trained teachers here. I'm not trained either, but I'm from the West, so it all works out. Good morning, class!!

barbiesaviortheeducator #wildwildwest #theyteachmemorethaniteachthem #whichmakessensecuzicantteach #PhDindelusionalthoughtprocesses #degreesplease

qualifiedisnotafeeling

godstillQUALIFIESthecalled #gettingschooledandoverruled

Ruminates on the beauty of Africa:

I just landed and I'm crying because of the beauty...then crying because of the heartache. Then when I realize the clean water my eyes are wasting by just CRYING....I cry some more because I don't know how to harness my tears yet. Oh, Africa. You really know how to make me soul search! #dispelthefears #harnessthetears #povertyporn #soul #africa #whitesavior #hero #reddirt #orphans #blessed #tenderheart #realtears #longflight #nomakeup #greatwhitehope #disciplethestreets #barbiesavior

The red dirt cascades around my feet, encircling my heels and her toes, filling every space. Ever since I landed in this country Africa, the dirt has seeped into my soles. The country itself has seeped into my SOUL. This place. It holds the answers to all our questions, if we only stop to ask. #loveothers #loveonorphans #called #change #soul #africa #whitesavior #hero #reddirt #orphans #blessed #tenderheart #twoworlds #oneheart #greatwhitehope #disciplethestreets #likes #forlikes #followme #mission #hereiamlord #blessed #purpose #thirdworld #stayprayedup

Appropriates the heck out of stuff:

Finally got some traditional dress today! Of course, I had to make a few alterations! If there is one thing the country Africa has taught me, it's to be true to yourself and express your creativity through whatever means possible. Who wore it best? I did. I wore it best. #fashion #offensifabulous #fashionista #individuality #unique #myspin #mytake #jesus #love #clothes #traditional #whitesavior #whitesaviorchic #whitesaviorcomplex #whitesaviorindustrialcomplex #beauty #allthat #create #worthit #disciple #clothesforchrist #trends #trendsetters #likeme #likes #forlikes #followme #pleasefollowme #notaboutme

Comes out with crass exoticised generalisations about all her new friends:

The people living in the country of Africa are some of the MOST beautiful humans I have ever laid eyes on. I feel so insignificant next to my new friend Promise. She has no running water, no makeup, no clothes but the ones she herself has sewn, and no strict diet to follow - her figure is kept flawless because she is in a constant state of malnutrition. She has nothing, but she still has raw beauty and Jesus - and now me! #newfriends #soulsister #loveothers #called #change #soul #africa #whitesavior #hero #reddirt #orphans #blessed #povertyporn #twoworlds #oneheart #greatwhitehope #disciplethestreets #likes #forlikes #followme #mission #hereiamlord #blessed #purpose #thirdworld #stayprayedup #God #africa #barbiesavior

I come across this jewel walking on the road. Nobody to care for her. Nobody to love her. I look down at the light that glistens from her brow. Too young to know that she doesn't have to be here. She doesn't have to live in the sun. And yet, she does. The sorrow she carries in her eyes all but overflows while my heart widens to catch the excess. I will hold your pain in my heart, little one. I will not forget you. #neverforget #loveothers #loveonorphans #called #change #soul #africa #whitesavior #hero #reddirt #orphans #blessed #tenderheart #twoworlds #oneheart #povertyporn #disciplethestreets #likes #forlikes #followme #mission #hereiamlord #blessed #purpose #thirdworld #stayprayedup #saviorbarbie #barbiesavior

All of this travel and jet lag has left me feeling less than beautiful BUT my beautiful heart is beating louder than it ever has before. In fact - it is beating now to the rhythms of Africa. In less than 24 hours He has revealed so much to me of His heart for these poor orphans. I am here as a vessel to save and to serve little girls just like this one. As soon as I set foot into the orphanage today, this sweet spirit came running towards me. She would not leave my side all morning so we sat together in the shade. As she laid in my lap, her brown hand intertwined with mine, I knew this is exactly where God wanted me. To love the least…the orphaned. I am here to love on all these little ones who have no one that loves them. All they have is me. What a beautiful picture of the gospel. #loveothers #loveonorphans #called #change #soul #africa #whitesavior #hero #reddirt #orphans #blessed #tenderheart #povertyporn #oneheart #greatwhitehope #disciplethestreets #likes #forlikes #followme #mission #hereiamlord #blessed #purpose #thirdworld #stayprayedup #orphans #orphanage #orphancare #God #saviorbarbie #barbiesavior

And of course, gets an obligatory Africa tattoo.

Only hours after landing I knew that I needed no more time to make a permanent, life-long decision. One week later, I committed. The country of Africa has captured my heart, and now, my heart has captured Africa! "Te Amo" means "love" in African. #africatatonawhitegirl #noregrets #forlife #myheart #mysoul #loveothers #loveonorphans #called #change #soul #africa #whitesavior #hero #reddirt #orphans #blessed #tenderheart #twoworlds #oneheart #greatwhitehope #disciplethestreets #likes #forlikes #followme #mission #hereiamlord #blessed #purpose #thirdworld #stayprayedup #wheredemorphansat

The account's two creators told HuffPo that the account was inspired by their own experiences of volunteering.

We were never as 'saviouresque' as Barbie Savior, but we did things back in our White Savior days that we regret.

They hope their pictures will encourage Westerners to think critically about their actions and motivations for travel before jumping on a plane.

[We hope Savior Barbie becomes a] jumping-off point for some very real discussions, debates and resolves.

More: Hipster Barbie is here to call BS on your "live authentic" Instagram pictures

More: This is the most-liked photo on Instagram ever

The Conversation (0)
x