14 Jun 2017

The chairperson of Tshimologo Association of People Living with Albinism, Ms Ofentse Serurubele has requested government to give albinism priority when upgrading the special education sector.

Speaking at the 1st International Albinism Awareness Day at the civic centre on June 13, Ms Serurubele said there was a high rate of unemployment among people living with albinism because they were not educated due to challenges they faced in learning institutions.

She noted that people living with albinism hardly participated in educational programmes because they lacked appropriate support services.

Ms Serurubele also said teachers were not trained to handle and care for people living with albinism.

She also argued that there was lack of resources that students living with albinism could use at schools.

She added that society was scared of people living with albinism, adding that it included teachers which exposed them to discrimination on a daily basis because of their appearance, adding that it discouraged them to continue schooling.

Ms Serurubele urged parents who were raising children with albinism to accept and support them, saying it would give society a platform to also accept and love them.

One of the people living with albinism said he had observed that most of his counterparts were not working, adding that he believed it was because they were uneducated.

He said they did not choose to have the condition and that they deserved to enjoy equal opportunities as everybody else.

Mr Kesefilwe Thomologo, who is also living with albinism, said he had so far applied to different departments to no avail though he had all the qualifications.

He said people ignored them when they looked for employment because of certain myths and misconceptions that were associated with living with albinism, adding that some said they were blind.

“We are not blind, we are just short sighted,” he said.

Mr Thomologo said everyone was created in the image of God and that they should not be discriminated because of their colour and denied an opportunity to work.

The patron of people living with albinism, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said International Albinism Awareness Day offered a platform to consider challenges faced by people living with albinism, increased awareness on albinism as well as standing for their rights.

He commended people living with albinism for embarking on a journey to raise awareness, noting that the day was celebrated for the first time in Botswana.

He appealed for support from stakeholders such as government, volunteers and the community.  

Mr Molefhi added that only the spirit of togetherness could pull them through, adding that  “setshwarwa ke ntsa pedi gase thata.” ENDS