Isn’t it enough that a child is born with no pigmentation in his or her skin, to have a condition that affects his eyesight, to be at higher risk for skin cancer, and on top of that to be treated with such contempt by those around you. This is the plight of the PWA (Persons with Albinism). PWA have to constantly be leery of the sun. Most of them have impaired eyesight if not complete blindness. Images are distorted making formal education a difficult task to manage much less conquer.
In some countries, such as Africa, many people believe albinos are not human, but rather “ghost-people.” In countries such as Tanzania, PWA are hunted down and dismembered, often killed, for their body parts. It is particular difficult for children who cannot protect themselves and are often betrayed by their own family members and sold to witchdoctors.
Under the Same Sun, founded by Peter Ash, is a non-profit organization that has done much to try to help these people. A great deal of time is spent in educating the residents of Tanzania, in providing facilities and education to the children, and in clinics to help them with their eyesight. For more information or if you are interested in helping in this cause, please go to the website: www.underthesamesun.com.
As many of you may already know, for the past year I have been sending sunglasses to these children. For each book I sold online I sent a pair of sunglasses to a PWA in Tanzania. I want to thank all of you who have helped me in this endeavor. Your purchase of my book has helped to protect the eyes of one of these children. I had initially decided to continue on this path for one year. I have now decided to extend this program for another six months.
It’s that time of year to be giving thanks. Think about all that you have and be grateful.
Teresa