Yesterday was a special day for people with albinism in Tanzania, and it is likely that none of them know it. No one in Tanzania has heard of Habo – but hopefully, that will soon change. A new book debuted that sheds light on the myths that surround albinos in Tanzania, and the danger they live with every day. Tara Sullivan is a first-time author, and with “Golden Boy,” she’s drawn a perceptive portrait of a young boy with albinism who struggles against poverty, prejudice and murderous intent to find his place in the world. This book could bring a new awareness to the plight of people with albinism in Tanzania.
Albinos in Tanzania aren’t just shunned and discriminated against – they are hunted for their body parts to fuel a black market. Witch doctors promote the myth that the hair, skin and limbs of people with albinism can be made into potions that bring wealth or luck. As a result, over one hundred people with albinism have been murdered or mutilated in the last five years. Asante Mariamu Foundation works to raise awareness about this issue, and help people with albinism in Tanzania
In “Golden Boy,” Habo lives in relative peace with his mother, sister and brother in a rural Tanzanian village, barely surviving as subsistence farmers. When his family is forced to leave the security of his village, Habo is confronted with the ugly reality that face people with albinism all throughout Tanzania. They are treated as curses, and viewed as a “walking paycheck” by many. Habo realizes that he must leave the comparative security of his family to seek safety in a large city. What happens is a coming-of-age story that weaves accepting albinism with growing up against the backdrop of gruesome myths that surround albinism in Tanzania.
The story is compelling because of the subject matter, but it is memorable because of Habo. Like a lot of teens, he is a study in contrasts: proud, confused, afraid, brave, stubborn and perserverant – and it is gratifying to watch him take the journey into adulthood. People with albinism in Tanzania deserve the same chance to seek peace and fulfillment, and this book might be a step in that direction by raising awareness.
Check out this review in the Wall Street Journal: http://tinyurl.com/ouksutf