Stunning Photos Show The Beauty Of Albino Children To Raise Awareness Of Their Heartbreaking Situation In Tanzania

Dutch award-winning photographer Marinka Masséus created the photo series ‘Under the Same Sun’ to raise awareness about the horrible circumstances of people with albinism (PWA) in Tanzania. Her aim is to show their beauty and share a message of acceptance and inclusion.

In Tanzania, when you have albinism, you are thought to be evil. There even is a price on the head of children with albinism since killing a person with albinism is considered to bring good luck. The fears and superstitions surrounding albinism run very deep in Tanzanian society. So deep that many women who give birth to a child with albinism are told to kill the baby at birth. If she refuses, she and the baby will become outcasts.

Many children with albinism are denied the most fundamental human rights. They are despised and taught that they are evil, that their existence is a curse. They live in constant fear of brutal attacks.

Because of the killings, many children with albinism now live in camps. Rejected by and cut-off from their families, they live separate from society in order to keep them safe. They are secluded, kept apart, hidden, often mistreated and shamed.

Besides the superstitions, PWA in Tanzania faces another threat. Their skin and eyes are without any pigmentation, which means that they have no natural protection against the harsh African sun. This results in severe burns, every day over and over again, which in time turn to brown spots (usually in the face) and to skin cancer.

Dedicated organizations are working hard to get sunscreen to Africa to help protect PWA – organizations like “Under the Same Sun” in Canada or “Stichting Afrikaanse Albino’s” and “Stichting Inside the Same” in the Netherlands. They need all the support they can get.

More info: marinkamasseus.com

Stunning Photos Show The Beauty Of Albino Children To Raise Awareness Of Their Heartbreaking Situation In Tanzania

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Marinka Masséus' photography revolves around people and is a constant reflection of her passion and fascination for human nature and the way we live our lives. Especially topics concerning injustice and inequality are a driving force behind her work. Her utmost wish for her photography is the chance to make a difference. By creating awareness and touching people's feelings, since she believes that an image is indeed stronger than a 1000 words.

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coffee zombie 7 years ago

It's so nice to see people with albinism represented so beautifully. I remember there was a time when the deaths of albinos was so rampant it spilt over to my country and there were instances where they had to be given 24hour police protection. And the price of sunscreen is very high compared to the economic status of many albinos it's a big deal when there are people willing to donate them.

30points

Toyana Brouet-Herman 7 years ago

As an albino, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing more light to the topic. Your pictures are beautiful. Though I do not live in Africa, and do jot experience the fear of having my life in danger, I still experience the discrimination that albinism brings. Hopefully all this will cease to exist in the years to come. 💜💜

15points