Barely few months after it was reported that people with albinism are being sought after by some ruthless people who claim that their body parts brings wealth fortunes when used for rituals, The association of people with albinism is planning to intensify sensitization campaign’s especially in schools with the message “Don’t exclude us but entrust us with responsibilities “
Speaking in an interview, the association President Boniface Massa said people with albinism are currently facing many challenges including discrimination, lack of proper health care and fear.
He said in the meantime their association is looking for strategic partners to help them disseminate the information to the general public throughout the country. “It has been noted that people with albinism are suffering because they are not empowered and also people lacks knowledge concerning the condition of albinism. In these campaigns, we want to empower them so that they don’t look down on themselves but rather to develop a mind that they are just as equal as any person” said Massa.
He added that their organization is engaging different stakeholders including government especially the ministry of health to improve the health care service rendered to people with albinism saying this is crucial as their skin needs thorough protection.
Apart from reaching to schools, the campaign is expected to reach to employers to start equalizing opportunities by starting entrusting people with albinism with various responsibilities and positions.
However Massa complained of low funding saying it is hampering their plan to launch the campaign. He said their wish is to travel throughout Malawi reaching to all schools and traditional leaders who can easily communicate the message to their subjects.
“We don’t have a stable donor of our association, therefore raising money to fund our activities is always a challenge, so we are appealing to government, donors or even individuals who may be willing to help us to come forth so that we easily reach the general public with information” He said
Massa also said during the campaigns they will visit families who were largely affected by the killings and abductions of people living with albinism to strengthen them.
Of late Malawi has experienced the abductions, killing of people with albinism and also the exhumation of graveyard believed to be of people with the condition in search of body parts and bones.
