Project Sites

In 2019-2021 we collected data in Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana. While COVID-19 has certainly impacted our research, we are thankful for strong partnerships that have enabled adjustments to methodology during this time of global pandemic. We plan to begin data collection for our new project on Birthing Stories of Families Impacted by Albinism later in the year of 2024.

In Tanzania, we conducted research in the Dar es Salaam and Mwanza regions with the assistance of our partnering organization, Under the Same Sun (UTSS). Dar es Salaam is located in the Western region of the country on the Indian Ocean and is Tanzania’s largest city and former capital. While quite cosmopolitan at the city centre, there remains a rural feel once in neighborhoods and surrounding areas. Mwanza, Tanzania’s second largest city, is a thriving port city in the Northeast of the country on Lake Victoria that has managed to maintain a casual feel. We met with mothers’ groups in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and on Ukerewe Island.  

We selected these sites in Tanzania, as this is where the involvement of NGOs with mothers impacted by albinism is focused, and where there are high rates of albinism and threats to human rights. 

In South Africa, we conducted data collection in Northern Cape and Gauteng provinces. These sites were chosen based on the locations of our research partners, Albinism Society of South Africa and Albinism Advocacy for Access. The provinces also allowed us to ensure a broad and varied sample of experiences.

For our new project, South Africa is our second primary site.

We conducted virtual data collection in Ghana in 2021. We also have partners in the area of advocacy and health professions education.

We will be conducting data collection in Canada for our new project.