Tanzanian Albinos Find A Refuge

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Published: October 5, 2009

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Tanzanian albino children at a picnic organised by the Tanzania Red Cross Society in the government-run school for the disabled in Kabanga. There are now nearly 50 albino children, youngsters and single mothers sheltering in Kabanga, which also houses children with disabilities and hearing and sight problems. Many of the albinos only just escaped their villages with their lives and tell harrowing stories of killing and mutilation. One small boy says his non-albino mother’s hand was severed by albino hunters armed with machetes after she tried to prevent them seizing him.

Tanzanian albino children at a picnic organised by the Tanzania Red Cross Society in the government-run school for the disabled in Kabanga. There are now nearly 50 albino children, youngsters and single mothers sheltering in Kabanga, which also houses children with disabilities and hearing and sight problems. Many of the albinos only just escaped their villages with their lives and tell harrowing stories of killing and mutilation. One small boy says his non-albino mother’s hand was severed by albino hunters armed with machetes after she tried to prevent them seizing him.

Tanzanian Albinos Find A Refuge

 

In Tanzania albinos are still living in fear of being attacked or killed after nearly 50 were murdered in the past two years. It is thought that they are being killed because of the belief that certain body parts of albinistic people transmit magical powers. Witch doctors are willing to pay a lot of money for the body parts to create potions and tinctures for their clients. So far this year at least 12 albinos have been murdered in neighbouring Burundi. Al-Jazeera has reported that one of the murderers received $240 for the body, in a region where the annual wage can be as little as $10.

A mother and her child at the picnic organised by the Tanzania Red Cross Society. Older albino women, have in the past, been targeted in eastern Africa, because of the mistaken belief that they were witches.

A mother and her child at the picnic organised by the Tanzania Red Cross Society. Older albino women, have in the past, been targeted in eastern Africa, because of the mistaken belief that they were witches.

In response to the murders the Kabanga School for disabled children has given the children sanctuary from the threat of violence since 2007, and seen a growing number of children having to live there.

A teenage girl in the female dormitory at the Kabanga school. The school has now completely run out of space, but vulnerable albinos are still being brought in by the police from as many as 200 kilometres away.

A teenage girl in the female dormitory at the Kabanga school. The school has now completely run out of space, but vulnerable albinos are still being brought in by the police from as many as 200 kilometres away.

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  1. Akila Sayyed says:
    October 29, 2009 at 10:29 am

    I am outraged and saddenened by the senseless violence toward Tanzanian Albinos. However I am proud of 20/20 for bringing it to the attention of so many. Please send me and address of the school and I will start sending the children things to help them feel a little more comfortable.

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