In east Africa and elsewhere in the world, albinism is very misunderstood and carries the stigma of modern-day leprosy. The genetic condition, which affects the pigment of the hair, skin and eyes, is prominent in that part of the world with about 150,000 people with the condition in the nation of Tanzania alone.
Dr. Eric Boos, a University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac professor, and his wife Karene have been traveling to Tanzania during the past 20 years and said that albinos there are often hated and feared. They said that during the past five years, they learned that some area "witch doctors" seek out or put a bounty on albinos to obtain their body parts, internal organs and skin to make potions, medicines and talismans.
“This is one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets, and we’re finding that even as we are trying to do something about it, there are some obstacles,” said Eric Boos. “People don’t want to let go of some of these cultural myths they want to hang on to it, and that includes people even higher up in the government. It is quite a problem, and it has been really suppressed for a number of years.”
According to the Boos’, the true number of albinos in Tanzania could be a higher than some estimates, but it's difficult to accurately tabulate because many live in secrecy and fear.
Eric Boos has recently been appointed as advisory counsel to the African Union’s Commission on International Law, where he said he hopes to get albinism designated as a human-rights issue. Meanwhile, Boos and his wife are attempting to raise awareness of the issue and raising funds for a center and safe haven for the children who are affected by this condition.
Karene Boos said that their fundraising aims to create a foundation for their efforts.
“We’re going for a start of $450,000 just to get the campus built, and then from there, we want to work on the sustainability at the compound and work toward getting the kids integrated,” she said.
Those interested in donating to their cause or for more information, can contact the Boos directly at Karene’s email.
