When we were children, we were most likely watching cartoons or running around a playground in our free time, but sadly, for many other children this is not the case. At eight years old a young girl watched as her father carried her mother’s detached arm. To us, it is a concept that seems so outrageous and far-fetched, but to albinos in Tanzania it is a harsh reality. According to a UN report, a husband and four other men carried out this horrendous attack on his wife as she slept two years ago, in February of 2013. Tragedies like this are common in Tanzania.
Albinism affects just one in 1,400 people living in the African country. People with the hereditary condition that causes the total absence of pigmentation in hair, eyes and skin are targeted, dismembered and often killed because of the belief that their limbs will bring luck and wealth. People are willing to pay between $3,000 and $4,000 for a limb and up to $75,000 for a whole body. Witchdoctors are even turning parts into charms and potions.
There have been 74 killings and 59 survivors in Tanzania since recording on the topic began, but this is undoubtedly just a fraction of the real number. The greed driving the people has become so strong it is no longer just strangers attacking people with the condition. Husbands are killing wives, brothers are killing sisters and parents are killing children. Families are turning on one another. Four-year-old Pendo Emmanuelle Nundi was abducted in December from her home and is still missing. The suspects are believed to be her father and uncle who were both arrested in connection to her disappearance. Given the nature of the problem, locals do not expect her safe return.
There have been several cases like Pendo’s and as a result, people with albinism in Tanzania are being turned into prisoners for their own safety. Large camps created to keep children safe from attack were initially designed to be a short term solution; however as no long term solution has been discovered, the camps remain. Many children have spent up to seven years of their lives isolated from the community, often growing up with no parental or adult supervision of any kind. The conditions of these camps are neither ideal, nor inviting however many children plead with authorities to be taken to one. A 15-year-old girl who had been attacked was reported saying, "I am asking the police to move me to a safer place and protect me because the bad men might come back to kill me.’ No child should have to say this, ever. Children should not live in fear, especially when those they fear include their family. This is truly unacceptable. Thankfully there are several charities and organisations working to put a stop to the "hunting’, but is it enough?
Under the "Same Sun’, a Canadian organisation focused in Tanzania, agree children and adults alike cannot and should not have to live in constant fear of dismemberment and murder. Peter Ash, the founder, has the vision to "promote via advocacy and education.’ Acting upon moral and human rights values they aim to support victims to end persecution and discrimination of innocent people with albinism. In addition to this organisation, there are charities and campaigners within Tanzania. "Who can we trust?’ asks albino rights campaigner Josephat Torner, "you do not know who is your enemy.’ Josephat highlights the difficulty in tackling the problem, referring to it as "a war.’ Tanzanians cannot trust those around them, not even their families. Josephat campaigns for his fellow albinos despite receiving numerous death threats and has starred in a film titled "In the Shadow of the Sun’ to help raise awareness on the issue. Josephat has drawn light to the possibility that "it could be politicians’ behind the killings, which, when you consider the fact that Tanzania is the 25th poorest country and the body parts are bought for extremely large amounts of money, does not seem such an improbability.
Yet, this does not just happen in Tanzania. In 25 countries in Africa, 136 killings and 211 attacks have been reported since they started keeping records and it is unlikely this barbaric act stops there. Something needs to change, now. Despite the various charities working to aid the problem and the government banning witch doctors in an attempt to lessen the demand for body parts, the problem is still prominent and for those with albinism, a part of everyday life.