NFT serves Umzingwane’s people with albinism
NFT serves Umzingwane’s people with albinism
March 9, 2023
Monitor Beloved Ncube
Choice News Africa
Esigodini –This week has been busy for Nkomwa Foundation Trust Programmes team, as they visited Umzingwane District to distribute sunscreen lotions, to cushion persons with albinism.
The organization has also realised the need for Albinism community in Umzingwane who are desperate for sunscreen lotions to curb cancer.
With this scorching sun in Matabeleland South region People with Albinism remain vulnerable to blisters and rashes caused by the heat which then leads to chronic wounds. Their skin is too sensitive to harsh temperatures caused by climate change and leave them at high risk of skin cancer.
Nkomwa Foundation Trust is a disability organisation that also caters for persons with albinism under its wings.
Albinism is considered as a disability according to the Zimbabwean National Disability Policy of 2021. Some section of society’s perception claims that people with albinism are able- bodied with nothing connecting them to the disability community.
However, they are more vulnerable beyond imagination. Scientifically, people with albinism have a pale skin which is very sensitive to harsh weathers. This then calls for extra protection by caregivers and the community at large since the consequences pose a serious threat to life.
One of the beneficiaries Mr Zwelani Gqoka expressed his appreciation for the sunscreen lotions gift.
“I am so grateful to Nkomwa Foundation Trust for remembering us in our district. These lotions are our basic necessities in our daily living. They are expensive and beyond our reach. Having such people as NFT team is a blessing to us. I hope NFT will continue helping us as they also reach to other districts.” said Gqoka.
NFT founder, Pick applauded Noble Hands Trust Zimbabwe, for availing sunscreen lotions, that they distribute to vulnerable communities.
“I am so delighted to meet my fellow people and giving a helping hand in this district. In development work, intended goals cannot be achieved in isolation. I am grateful for the partnership and support we also receive from Noble Hands Trust Zimbabwe in availing this commodity to us for further distribution to the communities.
As an organization, we will continue supporting our friends in whatever way we can.” Said Pick Nkomwa.
Mostly, people with albinism have a partial visual impairment. People with Albinism can have a variety of visual impairments including involuntary back and forth movement of eyes (nystagmus), inability to focus both eyes on a single point (strabismus), extreme near/farsightedness and sensitivity to light or photophobia.
NFT team also distributed hand sanitizers to minimize the transmission of viruses and encouraged personal hygiene to all community members. The sanitizer packages will go to all age groups as a way to decentralize health service, as a voluntary institution.
