We have helped to build a barrier wall at St Montfort College for the visually impaired, to protect albino students who are at a high risk of abduction and murder.

In some African countries the albino community is under great threat, as they are killed for their body parts which are used in rituals. One of the effects of albinism is  visual dysfunction, which can be severe and therefore make people more vulnerable to attack.

We help the albino community in Malawi by giving them the means to provide for themselves, as well as by providing protection and educating the community about albinism.

While at St Montfort College in 2016, it became clear that students with albinism were at high risk of kidnapping and did not feel safe while learning. The visually impaired learners board at the school and they were felt to be particularly vulnerable at night when there were less teachers and other students around to support them. After discussion with the students and teachers about how to address these concerns, we decided to build a brick wall around the accommodation block at the school to provide a safer living envirionment for the children while they receive their education.

After planning and fundraising, construction began in March 2018 with the help of local tradespeople and builders. The wall is now completed and according to Mr Kaleso, the headmaster at St Montfort, parents of children with albinism are now much more willing to allow their children to attend the school rather than keeping them at home for fear of their safety.