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.