John Brown Shamallah and his brother Collins Maikuva, who were born albinos, would not be alive today had superstitious villagers convinced their parents to boil them in a pot of steaming water "so that they would become like other normal children."
The 13-year-old Shamallah and 7-year-old Maikuva believe that, unless far reaching and urgent measures are taken, persons with albinism in Africa face real discrimination.
"We are the only albinos in a family of nine children. When the doctor assured my mother that we were like other children only for our skin
pigmentation, she instead intensified her efforts with prayers to bring us up like her other normal children," Shamallah told Xinhua in halting
English.
"I had to put up with names such as 'white man' and 'spots' among other forms of discrimination directed at me from teachers and schoolmates at the former school in our village," said Shamallah, who was born to struggling
peasant parents in Kakamega in Western Kenya.
"Our transfer here helped us attain a sense of belonging because of our shared predicament with other albinos," he said during an interview at Thika High School for the Blind, which they attend because of their low vision.
"Initially we only had each other for company, but that has now changed because presently we have many friends."
Albinism is a genetic condition resulting in a lack of pigmentation in the eyes, skin and hair. A variety of problems with photosensitivity in eyesight and skin usually result from the condition.
Children with this unusual condition, who suffer massive prejudice, need encouragement to further their education.
With their milky white skin, wispy hair and haunting, pale eyes, they are called 'the living ghosts' by others.
Shamallah said a lack of protective clothing and lotion confined him to class all day at his former school. He did not venture out to play among other children because the scorching sun would have dire effects on his skin and eyes.
"This incensed other pupils more because they thought I was anti-social while forgetting the discrimination emanated from them, while on my part I was constrained by unavoidable circumstances," he said as Maikuva squinted
and flinched inattentively from the effects of direct sunlight.
For all the discrimination he has endured with his brother, Shamallah's mission is two-fold: "I have left everything to the past and I am now focusing on the future."
Shamallah said he wanted to be the first visually impaired person to pilot an aircraft when he grew up.
He added, "It is also my aim to create awareness about albinos and assist them to avoid the same experiences we went through."
Persons with albinism have been shunned, ridiculed, tormented, tortured and even killed in Africa merely on account of their skin colour.
According to sociologist Phitalis Were Masakhwe, some people wrongly believe those with albinism are cursed and some believe persons with
albinism are terminally ill, weak, cannot hear, or are intellectually challenged.
Masakhwe said the biggest threat in Africa came from the misleading and negative belief system, combined with illiteracy and limited knowledge and facts about albinism, which could cause calamitous results.