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Persons with Albinism in Tanzania:

Albinism is a genetically inherited disorder which results in a lack of pigmentation in the hair, skin and eyes of those affected. In almost all cases a significant visual impairment is also involved, with most persons with albinism being legally blind.

More information on albinism can be obtained HERE

Albinism is a rare genetic condition occurring in both genders regardless of ethnicity. In North America and Europe it is estimated that 1 in 20,000 people have some form of albinism. In Tanzania however, it is 5 times as common with 1 in 4,000 people being affected.

Updates Re: Under The Same Sun

"THAT'S WHY I SAY AFRICANS ARE CURSED"
An email dated May 7, 2009 to Under The Same Sun from JM in Zimbabwe.
CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE for an introduction to Under The Same Sun's mission to Tanzania.
(Photography and Video by Rick Guidotti / Positive Exposure)

CLICK HERE to learn about Under The Same Sun's April 2009 trip to Tanzania.
(Courtesy of Rick Guidotti / Positive Exposure)

Related News Stories


Voice of America


Peter Ash Voice of America News interview


TV Ontario

TV Ontario's Steve Paikin interviews PETER ASH about the on-going genocide of people with albinism in Tanzania.


CTV


Peter Ash CTV Interview


CNN


CNN reports on the recent arrests in Burundi of the murderers of albinos.
March 20, 2009


BBC News

BBC Reporter goes undercover to record Tanzanian witchdoctor speaking about the purchase and use of albino body parts in potions.


BBC Television


BBC Television in London airs news brief on the horrifying spate of killings of persons with albinism
August 2008


New York Times


New York Times online edition airs news brief on recent killings
June 2008


Positive Exposure


Under The Same Sun is proud to be partnering with
Positive Exposure


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France 24: The Observer
April 13, 2009

People with albinism from numerous African countries seek refugee status abroad in order to avoid slaughter resulting from witchcraft and discrimination.
CLICK HERE

 
 
 
Voice of America
April 1, 2009

Voice of America News interviews PETER ASH about UNDER THE SAME SUN's work to end the murders of Tanzanians with albinism.
CLICK HERE

 

 
 
 
The Sunday Citizen
March 2, 2009

The Sunday Citizen reports on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's condemnation of the killings of people with albinism in Tanzania.  The article also refers to Peter Ash's work in Tanzania to end the massacre of his brothers and sisters with albinism.
CLICK HERE

 
 
 
National Post
February 27, 2009

National PostCanada's national daily newspaper, The National Post, interviews PETER ASH about the murders of Tanzanian people with albinism.
CLICK HERE

 
 
 
Regina Leader-Post
February 24, 2009

The Regina Leader-Post reports on the murder of a 6 year old Burundian albino boy who was dismembered alive in front of his tied-up parents.
CLICK HERE

 
 
 
BBC News
February 23, 2009

The BBC reports on the arrest of a Tanzanian pastor charged with the possession of albino bodyparts for sale.
CLICK HERE

 
 
 
The New York Times
February 16, 2009

As the killings continue, PETER ASH speaks with The New York Times about the albinism crisis in Tanzania.
CLICK HERE

 
 

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Persons with albinism in Tanzania face several major challenges:

1. The horror of a rapidly growing industry in the sale of albino body parts.

This unimaginable evil is driven by the belief (in some areas of the country) that the bodyparts of people with albinism possess magical powers capable of bringing riches if used in potions produced by local witchdoctors. During the last year, official reports indicate that 43 people with albinism have been brutally murdered and their bodyparts hacked off and sold to witchdoctors. However, leaders in the albinism community believe the number of deaths to be between 60 and 70. Reports also indicate that albino bodyparts are being exported outside of Tanzania. In one instance, a Tanzanian trader was caught travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the head of an albino baby in his possession. He told police that a businessman there was going to pay him for the head by its weight.

2. Lack of low vision aids

Lack of glasses, magnifiers and specialized computer equipment. This results in extreme difficulty in completing educational programs, resulting in chronic unemployment.

3. Epidemic Rates of fatal skin cancer:

Lack of protective sunscreens, wide brimmed hats and proper clothing resulting in epidemic rates of death due to preventable skin cancer. The lack of melanin in the skin creates high risk for skin cancer. Average life expectancy for persons with albinism in Tanzania is 30 years, with only 2% living beyond 40 years.
In western countries persons with albinism have the same life expectancy as the general population.

4. Widespread social discrimination fueled by powerful myths.

There is long standing and widespread lack of public awareness of albinism.  Powerful myths surround albinism in Africa. Some of these are:

  • People with albinism are evil or are a curse from God and will bring bad luck on the household
  • People with albinism never die - they simply vanish
  • People with albinism are born to black women who have slept with a white man
  • Albinism is believed to be a contagious disease - as a result many employers avoid hiring persons with albinism due to fears that their customers and staff will "catch" the condition, or that food would be contaminated if touched by a person with albinism.

What We Are Doing To Help

Under The Same Sun intends to invest significantly in resources within Tanzania to improve the life of persons with albinism by establishing a resource center for persons with albinism where they can receive education and medical support regarding this genetic condition.

   
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