Oogvereniging Albinisme organized an event on the 30th of March about the theme: Albinism in Africa. This interesting day took place in a fitting meeting venue: the beautiful “Africa Museum” in Berg en Dal, the Netherlands. During the moving presentations, there was a special workshop for little children. They had a good time by making lovely African clay cabins.

Together with Josephat Torner to the top of Africa
Makimi ter Beek and Pieter Staadegaard told the audience about their work for the Josephat Torner Foundation Europe (JTFE). JTFE supports and facilitates activities of Josephat Torner, a Tanzanian activist with albinism, to pursue his lifetime mission of creating a better world for people with albinism. Major support goes to awareness raising on albinism to demystify the deep-rooted superstition about people with albinism. A great example of that goal is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in the African continent. That event happened in September 2018. Lisa Luchtenberg and Hugo Vlielander (both PWA) joined the expedition and they gave a detailed and colourful story of their struggle in reaching the top. Their photos showed how beautiful and difficult their path was.

Partially sighted in Zambia
Nadine Naumann works as an orthoptist at expertise centre “Visio International”. Her presentation, supported by photos, matched perfectly well to the activities of the Josephat Torner Foundation Europe. Clothed in a genuine African dress, Nadine reported about her interesting journey to Zambia where she and her colleagues taught local teachers and medical staff how to work better with visually impaired children.

Children's book “Niet expres” (“Not on purpose”)
Last but not least, Jantina Boelaars presented her children’s book “Niet expres”. It is about a boy with albinism, called Guus. The book is inspired on the life of her son who has albinism. It has become a light-hearted, happy and positive story in which many parents and their children with albinism will recognise themselves. The book received an enthusiastic response from the audience. Afterwards Julia, a daughter of Jantina, read out aloud from the book. Just for a little while, because mother and daughter would not tell too much about the plot of the book. All proceeds of the book benefit JTFE. The book has been translated into English; send This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. an email for more information.

Information booths
During lunchtime the participants had the opportunity to visit a number of information booths such as:

• the Josephat Torner Foundation Europe
• the https://african-albinos.org">African Albino Foundation who supports PWA in Africa with sunscreens
• the Liliane Foundation who contributes to a world that is open to everyone and in which poor children with disabilities can develop and use all their talents.

Workshop: body-percussion
The event ended with a body-percussion workshop. After the tough subject in the morning session, it was a cheerful activity and both children and adults carried out the exercises of the trainer with joy. Finally, people could visit the Africa Museum and catch up on things. It was a successful and informative event.

Read the original article in Dutch here

Photo credit: Peter Nievaart