Who is AFEA?

Albinism Foundation of East Africa is a non profit organization, formed by persons with albinism and their friends with the aim of:

• Creating awareness in the general public on the condition of albinism in order to enhance social inclusion. 

• Sharing information with persons with albinism, teachers and parents of children with albinism on how to deal with problems associated with the condition.

• Procuring sun screen and avaling sun screen with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) like 30 upwards, at little or no cost to persons with albinism who cannot afford it

• Procuring prescription glasses for persons with albinism to ensure better vision for them in later life.

• Assisting persons with albinism develop a positive self image in order to exploit their full potential in educating, social and economic activities.

In the history of Kenya and many other nations, the challenges facing persons with albinism have gone unnoticed. Though there are no statistics in Kenya, data from other countries indicate that the prevalence of albinism may be around 1:17,000, with indications that this could be higher for Africa. Ranging from extreme stigma to deprivation of basic entitlements, persons with albinism in Kenya have faced numerous challenges. Most of these are related to health (low sight and irritation of the retina, skin inflammation and cancers due to lack of the protective melanin), education (placement in schools for the blind), social (problematic integration due to stigma) and economic (eventual lack of access to opportunities). 

Noting these challenges, the Albinism Foundation of East Africa (AFEA) was founded as a charitable trust in 2008, to advocate for access to basic human rights for persons with albinism in East Africa. AFEA’s objective is to reach out to and assist persons with albinism in Kenya and the East Africa region, educating and creating public awareness on the condition of albinism with a view to changing societal attitudes towards albinism and helping to transform the lives of persons with albinism.