Nkomwa Foundation in visits for persons with albinism
Nkomwa Foundation in visits for persons with albinism
August 16, 2023
Choice News Africa Correspondent
Gwanda – Matabeleland based Non-Governmental Organisation, Nkomwa Foundation Trust, recently organized trips in respect of persons with albinism, in the organisation’s efforts to alleviate predicaments faced by that community around Gwanda district.
NFT Founder, sharing a moment with a baby at a place in Gwanda. Pic Choice News Africa
The intention of the trip was to meet parents and caregivers of children with albinism to assess and understand their needs.
“NFT operations cut across all disabilities including Albinism, as it is now regarded as one type of disability- according to the Zimbabwe National Disability Policy (2021). We have to include everyone with disability, as no one must be left hence the organisation is now targeting mining communities.” Said Pick Nkomwa, the founder of the organisation.
One of the families looking after their children with albinism. Pic Choice News Africa
He also added that the trip was planned after identification of several persons with albinism, who are mostly staying in and around the mining communities in the district.
“NFT seeks to provide psychosocial support-(counselling) to parents and the immediate families, of the affected to understand and accept the causes of albinism and the care that children with albinism require.
Also the other goal is to create support groups for parents of children with albinism, as these platforms will share knowledge and experiences that benefit the children.
As the organisation, we aim to fight skin cancer among people with albinism, through providing sunscreen lotions and sunhats.
We believe prevention is better than cure. We have the mandate in entire Mat South Province to provide these lotions to our project participants,” he added.
According to NFT, information deficit on disability parenting is common among members of the community hence they cover the gap.
Persons with albinism are also vulnerable to ritual killings and are also prone to sexual gender based violence. With those risks, the organisation tries to equip parents and caregivers with information.
Mr Nkomwa also told Choice News Africa that, currently the organisation is assisting more than 80 persons with Albinism, and the organisation is also fighting to find more persons with albinism, as they are still hidden in various communities.
In Africa, people with Albinism experience several social and psychological problems. These include, skin cancer as a result of excessive exposure to sunlight. Poor eye sight which can only be corrected (partially) by costly spectacles.
Low educational qualifications as many fail to access basic education, due to vulnerability and psychological problems.
Ostracism by society, because of pink skin vis-a-vis normal African outlook of a black skin. Serious levels of unemployment as most organisations are reluctant to employ people with albinism, arguing that such people would tend to spend too much time off sick or at the hospital.