International Albinism Awareness day 2017

Posted by on Jul 21, 2017 in Blogs | 0 comments

International Albinism Awareness day 2017 – Tanzania and the UK

The 13th of June is the date when people with albinism all over the world ask for attention to the situation of people with albinism. This year’s theme of International Albinism Awareness Day was ‘Advancing with renewed hope’. The message gives new hope for persons with albinism to take a step forward, a step forward to conquer their fear, a step forward to mainstreaming, a step forward to a brighter future with an educated generation of the marginalized group. Some great events have been organised. Among these were an event in Lamadi in Tanzania and, on the other side of the world, a special symposium on Albinism in Africa in London in the UK.

The commemorations at Tanzanian national level took place in the capital city, Dodoma and in the Lake Zone region an event was organized in Lamadi. It was a day filled with joy, love and unity. We started the day with a peaceful demonstration through town (see the movie).

Stakeholders joined together with the community to sing off their heart with a cheerful slogan “we are the people, we can do it”. We had white people, black people, those with albinism and those without, who all joined together for the good cause to support our fellow colleagues with albinism.

Written by Jonathan Nkwabi (Josephat Torner Foundation Tanzania)

In London the first symposium on albinism in Africa was organized by the Josephat Torner Foundation Europe. Organizations, activists and scientist from around the world came together to advocate and educate about the issues many people with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa are facing, including Josephat Torner and the UN Independent Expert on Albinism, Ikponwosa Ero. Different perspectives on albinism were addressed: health, safety, and myths. Insights were given into what it is like to live with albinism in Africa. This day showed us how important it is for us all to work together. The wellbeing of people living with albinism in Africa can only be improved with collective effort.