I recently learned about a very marginalized group in Africa— individuals who are overlooked, excluded, ignored, and often living in poverty—and their suffering is tragic! Once I started hearing the stories of these kids from the Harare province of Zimbabwe, I was compelled to do something to help!
A child born in Africa with albinism (the genetic disorder that leaves them partially or completely lacking pigment in their skin, hair and eyes) is immediately at risk of skin cancer and macular degeneration, and highly likely to experience violence, neglect and under-education.
Due to a cultural belief that people with albinism are “cursed,” these children generally face widespread discrimination, ostracized and are often denied access to educational opportunities and basic social interaction.
The average lifespan of people with albinism in Africa is only 40 years—primarily due to skin cancer and violence. Tragically, children have been murdered so their body parts can be used as “medicine.” In some regions, the belief that sex with a female with albinism will cure a man of HIV has led to the rapes and subsequent HIV infection of many young women and children in Zimbabwe and other countries.
Fortunately, you and I can help . . . in two ways.
First, we can help these vulnerable children on a very practical level. We can teach them how to protect themselves from dangerous exposure to the sun. We can provide children from poor families with hats and protective clothing and sunscreen—which, as you can imagine, is essential in southern Africa.
Since there are limited manufacturing facilities for sunscreen on the continent of Africa, all sunscreen must be imported and it is very expensive—which puts it out of reach for many families, especially those living in rural or low-income areas.
Second, we can help to stop the spread of misinformation and dispel harmful myths about albinism. We can provide parents, community members, and government leaders with information about the causes of albinism and educate them on how to best support children with the condition. We can become advocates and cheerleaders for the rights of these children and adults living with albinism in Zimbabwe and all of Africa.
Will you join with us to show the love of God to these precious children and their parents?
Your gift will make a real difference—every hat, every tube of sunscreen, every pair of sunglasses will help save a child’s life. You will help provide education and advocacy for those that live with albinism as well as the community around them.
Your generous donation to Living Genuine Love today makes it possible for us to reach people around the world with the life-transforming love of God through our international teaching ministries and humanitarian outreaches. And you will help these overlooked and neglected kids experience lasting change in every area of their lives as together we reach out to them with the transforming love of God.