I am not sure why it is still so hard to write about our trip to Kabanga – even months after returning home. Looking through the pictures of the kids we worked with makes me realize that we have to tell their stories, even though it is hard.
We prepared ourselves as much as possible for what we would find at Kabanga, but there was no way to fully understand life in the compound until we were there. The high brick wall that encircles the space – topped with bits of jagged glass – became an obvious and painful symbol of the isolation of people with albinism within Tanzania. Guards with machine guns patrolled the perimeter after dark, and the local villagers were reluctant to enter the walls of the compound.
Even under these circumstances, there was still joy. We met wonderful teachers, caring parents and very bright children. I promise to try and do them justice in the coming weeks with pictures and stories. To see some beautiful portraits of the people of Kabanga taken by our partner Jacquelyn Martin, take a look at this NPR story: