Standing Voice

The issue:

With over eight hours of intense sunlight a day, East Africa is one of the hottest places on earth. Without the protective pigment melanin, people with albinism (PWA) are highly vulnerable to skin cancer. This, coupled with slow rates of diagnosis and an appalling lack of sun protection education, sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing, have given epidemic prevalence to this otherwise preventable disease. One estimate suggests fewer than 10% of people with albinism in Tanzania survive skin cancer to reach the age of 30.

The project: 

Standing Voice is an international non-governmental organisation based in Tanzania, Malawi and the UK. Founded in 2013, they promote and protect the rights of PWA and their families across Africa.

Croda Foundation has awarded Standing Voice a grant of £398,187 to support the organisation’s national dermatology programme. Over the course of three years, the Foundation’s funding will enable the delivery of 978 dermatology clinics across 163 government hospitals and health centres providing local access to direct dermatology services to 9,100 PWA. Clinics will provide health education, skin examinations, cryotherapy, minor surgeries, and referrals for invasive treatments if required. Patients will also receive locally made sun hats, sunglasses, and a six-month supply of sunscreen.

To learn more about Standing Voice, visit its website.

Banner image courtesy of Mite. Main image courtesy of Chihiro Tagata Fujii.