Under The Same Sun
Under The Same Sun helps people with albinism overcome often deadly discrimination through education and advocacy.
In many parts of Africa, people with albinism are misunderstood, mistreated and even attacked or killed. We work for a day when people with albinism will take their rightful place in every level of society and the days of discrimination will be a faint memory.
Albinism is a hereditary condition that results in a lack of pigmentation in skin, hair, and eyes.
This inherited condition is characterized by a lack of the pigment melanin, resulting in pale skin, light hair, pale eyes and impaired vision. Both parents must carry the gene in order to pass it on, but they may not have albinism themselves. Although in Europe and North America approximately 1 in 20,000 people has albinism, the rates are higher in Africa, with about 1 in 1,400 occurrences in Tanzania.
The term “Person with albinism” is preferred over “albino” as it puts the person ahead of their condition.
In Tanzania, people with albinism are called zeru zeru, meaning “ghosts.” It is assumed by some that these “ghosts” bleed a different color, or even that they are immortal. These dangerous beliefs incite the brutal attacks against people with albinism. A baby born with albinism may be considered a curse and be killed.
Witchdoctors take advantage of the ignorance and superstitions, fueling beliefs that people with albinism possess magical qualities. They spread the lie that the body parts of people with albinism used in charms and potions bring wealth, power and good luck.