I couldn't believe it really happens ....

Children are still ostracized, maimed and even killed, just because of the color of their skin. I'm talking about children with Albinism.  Albinsim is caused by a defect in one of the genes that give skin, eyes and hair their coloring. Today in Tanzania, about 1 out of 1,500 children are born with Albinsim. They are often shut out of society and sometimes in danger because some supersititions believe using their body parts in witchcraft rituals can bring riches, success and power.

I debated how much information I share in this update. Some of it is horrifying. Last year, I saw an article of a 9 year old boy who had his finger cut off in Zambia. Google more if you want see some of the stark realities for yourself. 

But today, I want to focus on the hope of what is being done. Last year, Villages of Hope Africa began a partnership with a charity focused on helping children with Albinism in Tanzania. We are overseeing their program on the ground, which includes ensuring the children are protected and safe, get a good education, receive the health care they need for their special skin and eye needs, and go on to university. Here's a VOH youth training session with the children.

We are also work with local leaders and communities to bring awareness and educate the communities of the needs and challenges of children with Albinism. A few weeks ago, I went with the team to a nearby village. I was inspired to see them training the local leaders and the keen interest shown by the community members to learn how to help them. 

And last week, I stopped by a training program for secondary school graduates who were getting ready to enter university.  I had a chance to share with them and encourage them to dare to dream, to remember God has special plans for them and to always remember He is with them. What a joy!

What's next? I'm currently working with the manager of the team that leads the program for children with Albinism and the VOH Welfare team to draft a framework of how we can help even more children. We had meetings with the local chairman of the local distinct near VOH Mwanza and discovered there are 50 children with Albinism in our area. We need to be here for them! Our hope is that we can do a pilot project next year in Mwanza and then expand it to other VOH centers in the future.

This has been a hard update to write. The challenges are real. But so is the progress being made! Thank you for your prayers and for being part of bringing hope to vulnerable children in Africa, including Children with Albinism.

Prayer Requests

1. Pray that superstitions will be broken and that all children will be safe from harm. 
2. Pray for VOHA as we develop programs and initiatives to help more children with Albinism. 
3. Pray for all children with Albinism, that they will be equal opportunities for a bright future.