SCOSP Empowers Albinos in Kisoro Ahead of International Albinism Awareness Day

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Summary:

• This year’s celebrations will be commemorated under the theme: “10 Years of International Albinism Awareness Day: A Decade of Collective Progress.” On December 18, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day.

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KISORO: As the world prepares to celebrate International Albinism Awareness Day, the Site for Community Services Programme (SCOSP), a non-governmental organization based in Kabale District, has empowered individuals with albinism in Kisoro District by providing scholastic materials, detergents, and sanitary pads.

This year’s celebrations will be commemorated under the theme: “10 Years of International Albinism Awareness Day: A Decade of Collective Progress.” On December 18, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day.

While handing over the donation at Kisoro Municipal Headquarters, Violah Niwaha, the field supervisor representing SCOSP’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Sabiti, expressed concern about how women often shoulder the burden of raising children with albinism alone, as some fathers tend to ignore their responsibilities. She urged parents to share child-rearing tasks equally.

She also stated that despite financial constraints, SCOSP plans to establish an albinism center in the Kigezi sub-region to provide necessary support and attention.

CUE IN NIWAHA… ON PARENTS…….RR//.

Baker Niyigaba, the Kisoro District LCV Male Councilor for People with Disabilities, emphasized the need for parents to treat children with albinism like any other children.

CUE IN BAKER… ON PARENTS…….RR//.

Sabiti Maximu, a skin cancer survivor, advised parents of children with albinism to ensure their children wear hats and sunglasses, especially when going outside in the sunshine. He highlighted that individuals with albinism have low immunity against direct sunlight, making them vulnerable to skin cancer.

CUE IN SABITI… ON HATS AND SUNGLASSES… RR//.

Kellen Maniriho, a mother of five children with albinism, thanked SCOSP for helping to reduce the stigma and discrimination her children faced. She revealed that her children almost dropped out of school due to being called humiliating names by their peers. Charity Dushimimana, a senior two student at Seseme Girls School, praised SCOSP for paying part of her school fees and implored the organization to provide additional support, as most children with albinism come from humble backgrounds and face chronic stigma.

CUE IN BENEFICIARIES… ON SCOSP……RR//.