Nasoro Kambi receives radiation treatment at the Ocean Rd Cancer Institute Dar es Salaam, from German machines donated 25 years ago. Tumours up to a certain size can be treated with radiotherapy, which is free at the Ocean Rd Cancer Institute, anything larger has to be removed by operation at other hospitals which is unaffordable for most people with albinism. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Recho Kombo has a bad nystagmus (involuntary flicker of the pupils caused by the retina trying to focus on an image), which beyond eight years old is difficult to correct as the brain and retina are fully formed. Glasses can't help her, so her only chance of seeing the black board is with a small magnifying telescope, shown to her here by optometrist Julius Ngoje. Makalala Primary School, Mafinga, Tanzania. Edison Njavike has his eyes examined by an optometrist. Edison is myopic (short-sighted) and has a nystagmas (involuntary flicker of the pupils caused by the retina trying to focus on an image.) When Edison was born some relatives talked about a curse on the family. Fortunately his father Nestus was educated and so was able to reassure his wife. Mufindi District, Iringa, Tanzania. Samuel Mluge, an albino rights activist, is trying to change attitudes towards people with albinism and to stop the killings for witch doctor medicine that have taken more than 40 lives in the last year. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Samuel Mluge, an albino rights activist, at his local Roman Catholic church. The government has called upon church leaders to help change the country's attitude towards people with albinism and to stop the killings for witch doctor medicine that have taken more than 40 lives in the last year. Yombo, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Samuel Mluge, an albino rights activist, at his local Roman Catholic church. The government has called upon church leaders to help change the country's attitude towards people with albinism and to stop the killings for witch doctor medicine that have taken more than 40 lives in the last year. Yombo, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Members of the Albino United football team rest after winning a match. Football matches are an opportunity to get huge crowds to change their attitudes towards people with albinism by witnessing them playing and winning - something previously not thought possible. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Members of the Albino United football team squeezed into a borrowed van on their way to a match. Football matches are an opportunity for huge crowds to change their attitudes towards people with albinism when they see them playing and wining. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A members of the Albino United football team. Football matches are an opportunity for huge crowds to change their attitudes towards people with albinism when they see them playing and wining - something previously not thought possible. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Albino United football team practise on the beach daily after 4pm when the sun starts to set and they can be outdoors without worrying about their skin. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In March 2007, in response to the killings, the Tanzanian government moved all children with albinism in the Mwanza area to Mitindo boarding school feeling it could not properly protect them at home in remote areas. There are 62 children with albinism at the school all of which are being kept in over the holidays for their own safety. Misungwi, Mwanza, Tanzania. A student with Zacchaeus Mwiga Solomon, a blind teacher at Mitindo Primary School. The Mwanza area has been worst affected by the killings, which started there. The area is rich in mining and fishing and it is said that fortune seekers in these industries are fuelling the demand in albino body parts. Misungwi, Mwanza, Tanzania. Inside the girls dormitory at Mitindo Primary school. In March 2007, in response to the killings, the Tanzanian government moved all children with albinism in the Mwanza area to Mitindo boarding school feeling it could not properly protect them at home in remote areas. There are 62 children with albinism at the school all of which are being kept at school over the holidays for their own safety. Misungwi, Mwanza, Tanzania. MP Al-Shimaa Kweghir with her adopted daughters, the sisters Tindi and Bibiana. A year ago Bibiana was attacked while she was asleep by men with machetes who cut off her leg and two fingers. Al-Shimaa was made an MP by the Tanzanian president in a bid to stop the killings by giving a person with albinism visible status and respect within the country. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Bibiana Mbushi Mashamba is fitted for a prosthetic leg by Dr Rashidi at the CCBRT hospital. A year ago Bibiana was attacked while she was asleep by men with machetes who had paid off her uncle to let them into the house. Too afraid to go home she stayed in the hospital for a year until Al-Shimaa, a recently appointed MP, was moved to adopting her and her sister Tindi following an official visit to their hospital. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Dr Rashidi examines Bibiana Mbushi Mashamba's prosthetic leg at the CCBRT hospital, Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. On 21st February 2008, Mariam, a five year old girl with albinism, was murdered while she slept for her limbs to be used in witchdoctor medicine. She is buried inside the family house under the bed so no one can steal her bones. It is customary that people with albinism are not given public burials but are buried inside by women alone fuelling the superstitious belief that albinos don't die they just disappear. Misungwi, Mwanza, Dar es Salaam. prevnext 21 of 38thumbnails
At 19 years old Mwazani Ibrahim already has very badly damaged skin. Preferring to fit in with her friends she doesn't like to cover up in the sun, as its not culturally normal for women in Tanzania to wear hats or long sleeves. Vingunguti, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.