We are collecting items to fill the third container, which will depart around February 2012, and this week has been quite hectic with lots of donations of goods from local schools and a local village community. The villagers are particularly interested in helping the Albino population of Ukerewe. These people are particularly disadvantaged as they also have very poor eyesight and without the pigment in their skin, they are very prone to skin cancer. The hot sun burns their skin and sun protection creams are very expensive, so often, the best they can do is wear a floppy hat and long sleeved shirt.
Unfortunately, that isn't all they have to contend with. Due to fear and superstition, the people with Albinism are often shunned by local communities in Tanzania. . In extreme cases, they are mutilated and even killed for their body parts, which are sometimes sold to witch doctors, who use them in their traditional medicines. Fortunately, Ukerewe Island seems to offer some sanctuary and a level of tolerance towards the Albino population. The photograph below of a lady born with Albinism was taken by Mr. Harry Freeland, a Freelance Photographer who has visited the island.
For further information on Albinism, please check out the following sites. http://www.southern-africas-children.org.uk/ and also http://www.underthesamesun.com/.
We would like to thank all of the people who have made donations so far. Currently, we are packing goods for dispatch to Huddersfield, where the forty foot container will be loaded. So far, we have filled 143 boxes. Other volunteers in our group are also collecting items in their respective areas for Ukerewe.
Until the next time,
Regards, Diane and Derek.
