Under The Same Sun: Working to stop the murders of Tanzanians with Albinism

Photography & Video by Rick Guidotti/POSITIVE EXPOSURE For more information please visit: www.underthesamesun.com 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. Albinism is a rare genetic condition occurring in both genders regardless of ethnicity. In North America and Europe it is estimated that 1 in 20000 people have some form of albinism. In Tanzania however, it is 5 times as common with 1 in 4000 people being affected. 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 ...



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