
Kiva Lending Team: Spell of the Albino
- About
- Loans 5.5K
- Members 47
- Graphs
- Impact
We loan because...
Stop the slaughtering of albinos in Tanzania and the sinister trade of their body parts for use in witchcraft rituals.
Albinism is a genetically inherited disorder. Sufferers are afflicted by an absence of melanin, a pigmentation defect in the hair, skin and eyes. It causes vulnerability to sun exposure and bright light. Many have very poor vision as a consequence. In tropical countries especially they can be vulnerable to skin cancers if unprotected from the sun.
Though it might seem absurdly obvious, Albinism has nothing to do with magical powers.
But in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, albinos have traditionally faced discrimination and prejudice. They are associated with the supernatural. To some, a white-skinned African person is seen as a kind of phantom or ghost, who rather than die will dissolve or disappear with the wind and rain.
Over the last five years in Tanzania, however, the situation has become much, much worse, with albinos increasingly subjected to murder and mutilation because of a completely absurd myth that albino body parts are effective in witchcraft rituals. Albino bones are also used as good luck charms and people believe they can make you rich.
About us
Attacks on albinos continue, despite international outrage and repeated attempts by the Tanzanian government to stamp out this truly appalling practice, since it first came to light that many albinos have been hunted down and attacked purely for their limbs and organs.
Officially there are around 8,000 albinos registered by the Tanzania Albino Society (TAS), but they says the real number is in excess of 170,000. Many albinos are still kept hidden by their families because of the stigma or because of fear that they might be attacked.
Please check following documentary: www.aljazeera.com/programmes/africainvestigates/2011/11/201111185428766652.html
Meet two albino children, victims of vicious assault. A 12-year-old boy called Adam (see team photo), who had part of his hand cut off and a 16-year-old girl, whose arm was hacked off. Their body parts sold for witchcraft rituals or good luck charms. (You may find some of the images disturbing)
More info:
TAS accepted the Martin Luther King Major Drum for Justice Award on behalf of albinos living in Tanzania in a ceremony at the US Embassy on January 15th 2009.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7148673.stm
www.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/world/africa/08albino.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
www.add.org.uk/case_study.asp?ref=94
Location: Tanzania Team website
Latest Messages
99+ messages. Join the team to get in on the action!
Team Activity
-
Mujeres Emprendedoras Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy ingredients to make the cakes she sells, such as flour, eggs, sugar, shortening, fruits, candies, condensed milk, food coloring, milk, etc..
-
Jijukamubyeyi Cb Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy more sodas and juices for sale.$1,275 to goLend Now
-
Duterimbere Cb Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy more sugar, rice, maize flour and beans.$2,200 to goLend Now
-
Ibakwe Cb Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy more rice.$3,900 to goLend Now
-
Abizeyeyesu Tcb Group received a loan from 1 team members to increase her capital by buying more airtime to sell to her customers.$3,175 to goLend Now
-
Abahizi Cb Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy more beans, sugar, salt and soap.$4,075 to goLend Now
-
Akamahoro Tcb Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy more Irish potatoes.$3,225 to goLend Now
-
Kundumurimo Tcb Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy more bananas and plantains.$1,575 to goLend Now
-
Abadahinyuka Tcb Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy more rice and beans for her restaurant.
-
Hagurukukore B Tcb Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy bananas, plantains, maize, and beans.$2,650 to goLend Now
-
Hagurukukore Cb Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy more sorghum to sell.$3,150 to goLend Now
-
Dushishoze Cb Sub Grp B Group received a loan from 1 team members to buy more African fabric materials.$3,275 to goLend Now
Have feedback on lending teams? Click here.