August 31, 2024
Visit to Tanzania and Malawi
We spent two intensive weeks in Tanzania and Malawi alongside Harry Freeland, Executive Director of Standing Voice, immersing ourselves in grassroots work supporting people with albinism. During our trip, we visited local clinics and witnessed Standing Voice’s comprehensive, locally led programmes in action.
This visit deepened our understanding of the day-to-day challenges people with albinism face—accessing health services, visual aids, and education—and reinforced the importance of solutions spearheaded by Standing Voice. Our shared field experience lays the foundation for stronger collaboration and continued advocacy in the region.
As part of our first visit to Tanzania, we had the opportunity to meet with Alfred Kapole, Vice-Chair of the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS). To the best of our knowledge, TAS is the world’s first association of persons with albinism—founded in 1977 and officially registered in 1980.
As part of our first visit to Tanzania, we had the opportunity to meet with Alfred Kapole, Vice-Chair of the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS). To the best of our knowledge, TAS is the world’s first association of persons with albinism—founded in 1977 and officially registered in 1980.
This inaugural meeting between the Global Albinism Alliance and TAS offered valuable insight into the situation on the ground. The conversation focused on key priorities for the albinism community in Tanzania, the longstanding work of TAS, and the urgent need for the government to adopt the long-awaited National Action Plan on Albinism.
The exchange marked an important step toward future collaboration in supporting the rights and wellbeing of people with albinism in the country.