When the Shade team first visited Baraka* at his home, he ran inside and hid.
Years of isolation had left him afraid, and made it difficult for him to trust unfamiliar people. In his community, he was the only child born with albinism. As is often the case for people with albinism, Baraka’s life was marked by stares, fear, and rejection. He was isolated and alone.
His parents were deeply concerned for his safety. Hearing stories of attacks against people with albinism and witnessing the way their son was treated left them living in constant worry. Baraka was hidden away inside his home for his own protection, leaving him unable to start school at the right age. The nearest school was far from home, making the journey risky and dangerous.
Everything began to change when Baraka’s father visited a center in Buhangija that supports children with disabilities. There, he learned about Shade and was given the contact information for our Country Director, John Migila. Hoping for a better future for his son, he reached out for help.
Now, God is writing a different story for Baraka through Shade. He’s a Grade One student this year, and he is learning more than just reading and math. He’s learning about friendship, acceptance, and the dignity and worth God created him with.
For Baraka, and so many other children like him, getting to school is only part of the journey. Long travel distances, safety concerns, and unstable home situations mean that consistent education is never guaranteed.
A safe place to live would give students like Baraka the chance to redefine home from a place of isolation to a refuge. A place to do homework with friends, share meals, and experience the kind of stability and security that every child deserves. With the right support, Baraka can face the future not with fear, but with courage and hope.
*name changed for privacy
