It was a moment that took our breath away. The room was packed with powerful government officials, community leaders, and local influencers in Tanzania. All eyes were on a small group of Shade School students as they stood together, a mix of children with and without albinism, united in their courage and purpose.
They recited the poem “I Am as I Am,” their voices clear and unwavering, their words piercing the air. The poem declared their worth, celebrated their identity, and challenged the stigmas and superstitions surrounding albinism. Line by line, they spoke truth, not just over themselves but to the entire room—and to a culture deeply rooted in fear and misunderstanding.
When the last words were spoken, silence filled the space. No one moved. No one spoke. The weight of their words hung in the air, impossible to ignore. It was as if the entire room was holding its breath, grappling with the poem’s message.
This is exactly what we’re working for.
At Shade, we are raising up children with albinism to know their God-given worth, to be confident in their identity, and to use their voices to advocate for themselves and others. But our vision doesn’t stop there. We are also working to equip children without albinism to stand alongside them, as allies and leaders of the next generation—children who know the truth about albinism and will carry that truth into the future, dismantling harmful misconceptions and ensuring that no one is persecuted for the way they were born.
Sebastian’s Journey: From Hidden to Hero
Among the students reciting the poem that day was Sebastian.
Not long ago, Sebastian’s life looked very different. Born with albinism, he spent the early years of his life hidden away in his home. His mother, fearful for his safety, kept him out of sight. In a society where superstition and stigma can lead to violence against people with albinism, her fear was not unwarranted. If you have followed Shade for very long, you will remember Sebastian.
John Migila, Shade’s Tanzanian Director and a person with albinism himself, heard about Sebastian. John met with Sebastian’s mother, sharing his own story and assuring her that Sebastian’s life could be full of possibility. Moved by John’s conviction and example, she enrolled Sebastian at Shade School, making him our very first student with albinism.
Today, Sebastian is thriving. Confident, charismatic, and consistently at the top of his class, he is a leader among his peers. His transformation is the fruit of what happens when education, advocacy, safety, and discipleship come together at Shade. Sebastian is a living testimony of the incredible potential that lies within every child.
But the most powerful part of that moment wasn’t just Sebastian—it was the group of children standing beside him. Children without albinism who have been taught to see him as their equal, their friend, their classmate. Together, they represent the future we are building: a future where inclusion replaces ignorance, where love overcomes fear, and where every child has the chance to thrive.
This kind of change is why we do what we do. And this is why we need your continued support.
Your generosity fuels moments like this—moments that change lives, shift cultures, and bring us closer to a world where every child is valued and loved. Thank you for continuing to join us in this vital work.
