ALCOZ Shields Chipinge’s Albinism Community With Sunscreen

CHIPINGE – People with albinism in Chipinge’s remote, heat‑prone communities received lifesaving sunscreen and essential supplies during a weekend outreach led by the Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (ALCOZ).

The organisation said the effort was crucial to shield vulnerable families from harsh sun exposure, stigma and neglect.

ALCOZ projects and programmes director, Mr George Mafararikwa, explained that the outreach was part of the organisation’s duty to reach families in outlying districts where the climate poses serious risks.

“As a national organisation, it is our responsibility to meet beneficiaries across the country, especially in places like Chipinge.

“These areas are extremely hot, so residents must regularly receive sunscreen lotions and other skin care products,” he noted.

He said the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building the Future” reflects the realities facing children with albinism and the women raising them, many of whom have been abandoned by their spouses.

“Some of these children cannot afford to attend school due to lack of resources. We break those barriers by paying their fees, buying uniforms and stationery, and supporting the girl child with sanitary wear,” he explained.

Combining health protection with education support, he added, is essential to restore dignity and opportunity.

The organisation also drew attention to discrimination that weighs heavily on families, particularly mothers who are stigmatised and blamed after giving birth to a child with albinism.

“Men often claim that when a baby with albinism is born it is a curse, and they refuse to accept the child. This breaks relationships, leaving the mother alone with the child and creating immense pressure, including mental health challenges,” Mafararikwa observed.

He further highlighted that albinism, caused by the absence of melanin, leaves individuals highly vulnerable to sunburn, skin damage and cancer.

“The sun’s rays pose a severe danger to their skin. When we go out, we provide sunscreen lotions, lip balms and sunhats so they are properly protected,” he said.

The outreach also engaged local leaders to promote special care and safer service delivery for people with albinism.

During the Chipinge outreach, every person with albinism who attended received three 250ml bottles of sunscreen lotion, three lip balms, two sunhats, a 250ml bottle of disinfectant liquid and a bar of bath soap.

Girls and young women also received five packets of sanitary wear each.

“These supplies are enough to last nearly a year, and we distributed them free to our beneficiaries in Chipinge,” said Mafararikwa.

Beyond health risks, ALCOZ noted that people with albinism still struggle to access basic services.

Many are excluded from disability benefits and food aid because community leaders and service providers fail to recognise albinism as a disability, despite its official classification.

“Stakeholders often insist, ‘You are a normal person, you do not have a disability,’ and as a result people with albinism are left out,” he explained.

He added that even waiting in queues exposes people with albinism to serious health risks.

“They should not be left standing in the sun because of their condition,” he said.

ALCOZ uses outreach visits to brief local leaders on protective practices and to raise awareness for safer service delivery.

The organisation also provides psychosocial support, counselling mothers affected by stigma and helping them rebuild their lives.

Many women, Mr Mafararikwa said, receive small capital injections to start income‑generating projects.

“We encourage them and provide livelihood capital to start small businesses so they can support themselves,” he added.

-Manicapost