Written by Tanzanian Communications Coordinator, Ester Wilson
At Shade, we witness countless stories of resilience, but some leave a mark on the heart like no other. One such story is that of Aisha,* a seven year old girl with albinism from a nearby region.
Aisha’s life has been shaped by hardship. After her father passed away last year, her mother has been raising Aisha and her four siblings, including an infant, without access to basic necessities. They live in a small mud home, lacking proper sanitation, with limited access to food, and no access to educational tools suitable for children with albinism. At school and in the community, Aisha faced discrimination, isolation, and misunderstanding. People would often stare at her as she walked, sometimes forming groups to point or whisper, leaving the young child fearful, self-conscious, and alone.
The Head Teacher at Aisha’s school recalls, “Before he passed, Aisha’s father had dreamed of a better life for his children. He reached out to organizations that came and took their names, but never returned. His simple wish was that his children with albinism would have safety, proper care, and the education every child deserves.”
Aisha’s struggle might have continued in silence, if not for a teacher at her school who had a family member with albinism. Aisha’s teacher, Paje, began teaching her about skin care, confidence, and her right to be treated with dignity.
“Seeing Aisha reminded me of my own niece,” Paje said. “I could not ignore her suffering. I had to act to protect her, teach her, and give her hope.”
Paje reached out to Shade to see what could be done. The Shade team traveled 95 miles from Shinyanga to Bariadi to meet Aisha and her family. The team found that Aisha and her family were living in an extremely vulnerable situation, and that the children had limited access to education and support suitable for people with albinism.
Shade responded swiftly, offering Aisha and one of her school-aged siblings full scholarships to attend Shade School. Their mother, recognizing the life-changing opportunity presented to her children, made the brave choice to allow her children to live with loving foster parents in the Shinyanga region. For the first time, Aisha will go to school without fear, have access to the tools she needs to learn, and be a part of a community that cares for her unique needs.
At Shade, our mission is clear: to create safe spaces, protect children with albinism, and empower communities through education and love. Aisha’s journey is a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Together, Shade is changing lives, one child at a time.
