SHAYANDIMA - Learners of Tshilidzini Special School with albinism were treated like royalty lately. The Munna ndi nnyi men’s forum, the Cancer Association of South Africa and the Department of Health and Social Development donated cricket hats and sun screening agents for them to use as they experience problems with their skins.

The school, situated at Shayandima, near Thohoyandou, currently accommodates about 50 albinos who were all beneficiaries of the donations.

A Grade 6 leaner at the school, Lindelani Munyai (13), said she is delighted because she now knows there are people who care for albinos out there. She also stated that albinos were regarded as outcasts but she is relieved that the community now regards them as other normal people.

She explained: “The donations will help in the improvement of our skins as we experience skin problems on a daily basis, especially when it is too hot. We encourage the sponsors to continue with their good work and we hope this will be an example to other people to plough back into the community.”

The principal of the school, Mr Mbulaheni Maluma, said the school is filled with gratitude as a result of the donations. “Some of the parents cannot afford to buy skin oil for their children due to poverty, but this shows that the donors are having the interests of the albinos at heart. At this stage, we mainly depend on the local Tshilidzini Hospital for albinism treatment but we need more assistance from the community,” said Maluma.

The chairman of Munna ndi nnyi men’s forum, Mr Bardwin Mufunwaini, said his forum decided to assist the albinos as a sign of love. “As a men’s forum, it is also our responsibility to help children because they are the leaders of tomorrow. We are still going to participate in more community building projects to develop young children for the benefit of our community.”

The provincial head of Health Programme Cancer Association, Mr Godfrey Nematenda, said albinos must be regarded as normal people and the community must not look down upon them. He said the Department of Health and Social Development is raising awareness about the dangers of ultra-violet rays to fight against skin cancer and this will reduce the skin problems faced by albinos.