Mothering & Albinism

The Mothering and Albinism project team expresses our deep regrets at the recent passing of Dr. Bhekisisa Maxwell Thabethe. He was the chairperson for organizations such as the National Albinism Task Force, Albinism Society of South Africa, and Albinism Society KwaZulu-Natal. With his PhD in Education (his dissertation is titled Learning of mechanical systems in… Continue reading In Memoriam: Dr. Bhekisisa Maxwell Thabethe

We invite you to enjoy a recent video created for Mother’s Day by the African Albinism Network. The video celebrates the resilience of mothers impacted by albinism, with team member Perpetua Senkoro sharing her story. Happy Mother's Day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2zm3I6aaaw Reference Africa Albinism Network. (2022). Mother's day celebration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2zm3I6aaaw

Wakati wa utafiti wetu Tanzania mnamo mwaka 2019 kwaajili ya mradi wa Mama na Ualbino, tulisikia mara kadhaa kwamba viongozi wa kidini wana ushawishi mkubwa katika jamii katika utoaji wa misaada, elimu na utetezi. Kiongozi mmoja wa kiislam alisema kwamba “viongozi wa kidini tayari wana uwezo wa kufikia sehemu za ndani zaidi za jamii….. wanasikilizwa… Continue reading Mkutano wa Viongozi wa Dini Tanzania

During our fieldwork in Tanzania in 2019 for the Mothering and Albinism project, we heard repeatedly that faith leaders have a great influence in their community in providing support, education, and advocacy. A Muslim faith leader stated that “religious leaders already have the mandate to go deeper into all segments of the society…they are listened… Continue reading Virtual Faith Leaders’ Summit in Tanzania

Storytelling in film is one way that academic research can be communicated to the public, so social change can follow (Karabanow & Naylor, 2015; Richmond, 2016; Sharma, Reimer-Kirkham, & Meyerhoff, 2011). How can telling stories through film change community attitudes? Their voices: Upendo wa Mamas (‘Mother’s Love’ in Swahili) is a support and income generating… Continue reading A Storytelling Film Project to Centre the Voices of Tanzanian Mothers impacted by Albinism

This past November 2021, we took the opportunity to present our Mothering and Albinism research at the premier Global Health conference in Canada with a broad global reach. First, we provide some background about the Canadian Conference on Global Health. For the first time, the joining of two predecessors, the Canadian Society of International Health… Continue reading Canadian Association for Global Health (CAGH) Conference Poster Presentation – November 2021, Ottawa, Canada

As you will recall, in Part I of the ‘Re-imagining virtual field research during a global pandemic’ blog (March 2021), we described the shifts in our data collection approaches to remote interaction and conducting virtual research due to the global pandemic, aligning with the Canadian Coalition for Global Health (CCGHR) Principles (2015).  This framework guides… Continue reading Re-imagining virtual field research during a global pandemic: Shifting methods – Part II

I.K., United Nations, Geneva (Photo Credit: Harry Freeland, Standing Voice ) Ikponwosa Ero (I.K.) was designated as the first United Nations Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism in June of 2015. During her six years on the mandate, she initiated movements in various sectors and collaborated with stakeholders in… Continue reading Congratulations, Ikponwosa Ero!

Every year since 2015, global communities celebrate June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day. A day established by a United Nation's General Assembly resolution passed on December 18, 2014 to celebrate persons with albinism and their accomplishments throughout the world while raising awareness of albinism. As a team we will pause on June 13 to… Continue reading June 13: International Albinism Awareness Day #StrengthBeyondAll Odds

Innocentia's sister, Elma. The last born in a family of nine, I spent most of my childhood in Chitungwiza, one of Zimbabwe's most densely populated townships which started out as a dormitory town in the 70s. The most enduring memory I have of my childhood is that there were always people coming to our house.… Continue reading For Elma and the many other mothers impacted by albinism