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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
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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.
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. 💜💜
Lillian Chesak 7 years ago
I love this. It's gorgeous. But if you don't mind me asking, does one of the models have vitiligo? Not trying to be rude, just curious
Marinka Masseus Photography (Post author) 7 years ago
Thank you Lillian! If you are referring to the brown spots in the faces of the children with albinism, these are damage due to sun exposure. Since the skin of People with Albinism (PWA) is without any pigmentation, they have no natural protection against the harsh African sun. This lack of melanin results in severe burns, every day over and over again, which in time turn to brown spots (usually in the face) and in the long run 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. When the skin of PWA gets treated with sunscreem every day, their skin remains soft and free of spots. One of the boys I photographed, he was 7 and his back was already completely wrinkled like of an old man...
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Joni Solis 7 years ago
Are there more albino children born in Tanzania? Or is it just that Tanzania people reject them more than other people in different places? So sad to hear that they are outcast.
Marinka Masseus Photography (Post author) 7 years ago
Yes, prevalence of albinism is higher in sub-Saharan Africa, often as high as 1 in 5000, with selected populations having estimates as high as 1 in 1,000, compared to 1 in 20,000 in N-America and Europe. It is difficult to establish exact data per country, especially in rural areas. In Tanzania, the prevalence of albinism is estimated to be 1 in 1,400 and 1 in 19 carry the gene. That is more than 14 times the prevalence of North America & Europe.
Load More Replies...
Marinka Masseus Photography (Post author) 7 years ago
Dear thebridget, thank you for your question on how to help. There are organisations working hard to get sunscreen to Africa for PWA, in the Netherlands "Stichting Afrikaanse Albino's' with Bas Kreukniet as contact for Tanzania and 'Inside the Same' run by Gabrielle de Graaf. In Canada there is the organisation "under the Same Sun". I'll give the links to the websites below. Stichting Afrikaanse Albino's (African Albino Organisation) http://african-albinos.org/ Inside the Same: http://www.insidethesame.com/ Under the Same Sun: http://www.insidethesame.com/ Personally I support Sister Helena of the Mary Mother of God Center with monthy donations, and by paying hospital bills if children need medical care. She runs a center in Lamadi, Tanzania. I visited her center so I saw first hand how happy and well-loved the children are. Also, together with two friends, we pay yearly tuition for a small boy with albinism in Dar es Salaam, so there are many ways you can help!
Load More Replies...
Kerolos Saleib 7 years ago
I lived in Tanzania, another superstition, they think if you are living with AIDS and o
Kerolos Saleib 7 years ago
...and you sleep with a virgin Albino female yiu will be cured. So many suffer due to have being been rape
Load More Replies...
Zori the degu 7 years ago
Poor kids! People fought against racism for decades but now a really similar situation can be seen in Tanzania. This makes me feel really bad, some ancient traditions and superstitions around the world are really gross. I hope your photography project turns out successful and raises awareness, because these amazing people really need our help.
Tiff Jade Thompson 7 years ago
I would love to be apart of discovering humanity the this author does. i have this honest natural care and appreciate for people as much as i do animals. (claps for this author/photographer) Respect
Alyona Vlasova 7 years ago
As a photographer I've always seen something amazing in albino, they are beautiful people and the same as we are, and they have rights!
Jacob Mphahlele 7 years ago
It saddens me, it really really does.. Your work is AMAZING your efforts are acknowledged by the world. I love your work, these pictures are amazing. What pains me is, the people that NEED to see this and learn from it, never will 😔
Diane Hudson 7 years ago
Loved that country and its people. Sad there is so much ignorance. I did not know about the desperate need for sunscreen? I hope this beautiful work will increase awareness and donations.
Marinka Masseus Photography (Post author) 7 years ago
Get your mind out of the gutter please. The children only had their shirts off their upper body to show their skin color, since that is the topic of the project. And why do you assume the photographer is a male?
Load More Replies... 
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.
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. 💜💜
Lillian Chesak 7 years ago
I love this. It's gorgeous. But if you don't mind me asking, does one of the models have vitiligo? Not trying to be rude, just curious
Marinka Masseus Photography (Post author) 7 years ago
Thank you Lillian! If you are referring to the brown spots in the faces of the children with albinism, these are damage due to sun exposure. Since the skin of People with Albinism (PWA) is without any pigmentation, they have no natural protection against the harsh African sun. This lack of melanin results in severe burns, every day over and over again, which in time turn to brown spots (usually in the face) and in the long run 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. When the skin of PWA gets treated with sunscreem every day, their skin remains soft and free of spots. One of the boys I photographed, he was 7 and his back was already completely wrinkled like of an old man...
Load More Replies... Joni Solis 7 years ago
Are there more albino children born in Tanzania? Or is it just that Tanzania people reject them more than other people in different places? So sad to hear that they are outcast.
Marinka Masseus Photography (Post author) 7 years ago
Yes, prevalence of albinism is higher in sub-Saharan Africa, often as high as 1 in 5000, with selected populations having estimates as high as 1 in 1,000, compared to 1 in 20,000 in N-America and Europe. It is difficult to establish exact data per country, especially in rural areas. In Tanzania, the prevalence of albinism is estimated to be 1 in 1,400 and 1 in 19 carry the gene. That is more than 14 times the prevalence of North America & Europe.
Load More Replies... Marinka Masseus Photography (Post author) 7 years ago
Dear thebridget, thank you for your question on how to help. There are organisations working hard to get sunscreen to Africa for PWA, in the Netherlands "Stichting Afrikaanse Albino's' with Bas Kreukniet as contact for Tanzania and 'Inside the Same' run by Gabrielle de Graaf. In Canada there is the organisation "under the Same Sun". I'll give the links to the websites below. Stichting Afrikaanse Albino's (African Albino Organisation) http://african-albinos.org/ Inside the Same: http://www.insidethesame.com/ Under the Same Sun: http://www.insidethesame.com/ Personally I support Sister Helena of the Mary Mother of God Center with monthy donations, and by paying hospital bills if children need medical care. She runs a center in Lamadi, Tanzania. I visited her center so I saw first hand how happy and well-loved the children are. Also, together with two friends, we pay yearly tuition for a small boy with albinism in Dar es Salaam, so there are many ways you can help!
Load More Replies... Kerolos Saleib 7 years ago
I lived in Tanzania, another superstition, they think if you are living with AIDS and o
Kerolos Saleib 7 years ago
...and you sleep with a virgin Albino female yiu will be cured. So many suffer due to have being been rape
Load More Replies... Zori the degu 7 years ago
Poor kids! People fought against racism for decades but now a really similar situation can be seen in Tanzania. This makes me feel really bad, some ancient traditions and superstitions around the world are really gross. I hope your photography project turns out successful and raises awareness, because these amazing people really need our help.
Tiff Jade Thompson 7 years ago
I would love to be apart of discovering humanity the this author does. i have this honest natural care and appreciate for people as much as i do animals. (claps for this author/photographer) Respect
Alyona Vlasova 7 years ago
As a photographer I've always seen something amazing in albino, they are beautiful people and the same as we are, and they have rights!
Jacob Mphahlele 7 years ago
It saddens me, it really really does.. Your work is AMAZING your efforts are acknowledged by the world. I love your work, these pictures are amazing. What pains me is, the people that NEED to see this and learn from it, never will 😔
Diane Hudson 7 years ago
Loved that country and its people. Sad there is so much ignorance. I did not know about the desperate need for sunscreen? I hope this beautiful work will increase awareness and donations.
Marinka Masseus Photography (Post author) 7 years ago
Get your mind out of the gutter please. The children only had their shirts off their upper body to show their skin color, since that is the topic of the project. And why do you assume the photographer is a male?
Load More Replies... 
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