The school has a total enrollment of over 600 and it houses and teaches 64 blind children under age 16.  My wife had purchased slates and styluses for printing Braille as well as a soccer ball with a bell inside it so blind children could play with it.  We delivered them to the school and met with the Principal for several hours.  We were given a complete tour of the campus, which has grown significantly since my visit in 2005.

The school principal told us of their need to build a wall around the campus to protect all the children, but especially for the protection of the albino children living at the school.  In recent years Tanzania has experienced a growing problem with albinos, and albino children in particular, being kidnapped and murdered for body parts. There are ancient myths that believe they contain and impart power, beauty and protection against disease, especially aids and hiv.  Currently, the school has to keep albino children indoors to protect them.  They have had albino children grabbed right on the school property.

The school receives little financial assistance from the Tanzanian government and gets most of its $50,000 annual budget through donations.  They have no funding to build the wall.

When I visited the school in 2005, I brought with me 50 long white canes for the children and was gratified to see many of them still in use. However, their need for funding to build a wall to protect the blind children is urgent.  I have included an article from the United Nations about the trade in albino body parts.  Anybody wishing to donate towards the building of the wall can do so through our website by simply designating that the donation is for the wall at the blind school in Tanzania.

Albino killings in Tanzania related to ancient tribal beliefs

By Rachel Pollock

Albinos like this young girl are being targeted in Tanzania and Burundi and killed by their communities.

Last month, Gerald Connelly, a U.S. Congressman, filed a statement pressuring Barack Obama to take action against the brutal albino killings in Tanzania and Burundi. Since 2007, there have been an estimated 53 albino killings in Tanzania and 11 killings in Burundi. In hopes of discouraging further violent acts being carried out against albinos, four men on 1 February 2010 were sentenced to death for the albino killings in Tanzania.

This recent wave of mass killings have been correlated to ancient tribal beliefs in supernatural powers some refer to as “witchcraft,” which can also be used to inflict harm or damage to property or the members of a community. Unfortunately, today, we are seeing a sharp increase in the amount of killings due to these ancient spiritual beliefs. Mike O’Maera of the Catholic Information Service of Africa (CISA) tells MediaGlobal “The issue of Albinos has had special repercussions in the way persons perceive each other and the whole idea of “quick” riches from witchcraft related rituals.”

According to Ministry of Safety and Security in South Africa’s Northern Province, the Commission of Inquiry into Witchcraft, Violence, and Ritual Killings compiled in 1996 stated that thousands of people had been accused of witchcraft and ten farms had been set up in the Northern Province for refugees forced out of their homes. Furthermore, the use of witchcraft-related rituals and their connection to health issues has seen an increase in recent years with the prevalence of communicable diseases.

According to the World Health Report conducted by the World Health Organization in Africa in 2002, HIV/AIDS, lower respiratory infections, malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, and childhood diseases accounted for 50 percent of the mortality rates. The HIV/AIDS epidemic was the largest threat to Africa, resulting in over 2 million deaths. In rural communities, where there is a lack of access to healthcare, some members of the communities are attributing diseases like HIV/AIDS to demonic spirits. Often times, locals believe these demons can be extracted by means of inflicting harm to the ailing person or to their family.

In the case of albinism, albino limbs are believed by some locals to have supernatural powers, which can make someone wealthy overnight or help fishermen catch more fish. Andrei Engstrandneascu, who is the zone communications manager of the eastern Africa division of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, informs MediaGlobal that the price for a “complete kit” of albino body parts including: legs, arms, hair, ears and genitals can cost up to $75,000. Measures, along with public advocacy campaigns, are being taken to dispel myths that lead to albinos being killed. “Authorities together with the Red Cross are engaged [in] explaining the health and genetic reasons behind albinism and promoting a culture of tolerance and harmony,” said Engstrandneascu.

People suffering from this genetic disorder have health problems like skin cancer and poor eyesight, which often requires medical attention. Engstrandneascu explained, “The killings have spread such a fear that albinos – even if they have the [financial] means – do not dare travel long distances from their villages to the Dar es Salaam oncology hospital.” In other instances, albinos living in the rural communities are migrating towards cities, in fear for their lives.

While the beliefs in supernatural powers used to heal people suffering from serious ailment, have always been part of African culture, killings as a result of the myths surrounding disease, have been a recent development. Engstrandneascu commented: “[locals] do not recall such practices taking place in the past (killing of albinos for body parts used in witchcraft). However, ritual killings of animals were and still are common in east and west Africa. In parts of Africa (like Nigeria and Uganda) they do abduct and kill children, suggesting that the use of innocent blood would ‘bless’ a major enterprise. Similarly, albinos have been singled out by the color of their skin and are used in the same way.”

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, “believes that a combination of tougher judicial measures, education and adequate health services could curb these killings and restore the dignity of people with albinism.” It is from a lack of education and adequate healthcare that these killings were able to escalate to such a degree.

Did you find this article beneficial? If so, please help MediaGlobal continue to provide you with development news from around the world by making a donation to support our operations.

MediaGlobal is an independent international media organization, based in the United Nations, creating awareness in the global media on social justice and development issues in the world’s least developed countries. For more information, please contact us at: United Nations Secretariat, Room L-221 K, Dag Hammarskjold Library, New York, NY 10017. Telephone: 609.529.6129. Email: media@mediaglobal.org. Website: www.mediaglobal.org

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Image via Wikipedia

Charley Mace and I arrived at the Marangu Gate at Mt. Kilimanjaro, registered at the office and started up the mountain.  We hiked through rain forest with the sound of monkeys and exotic birds around us.  Leopards are sometimes seen along this path, as well as other animals, but this day there were too many people hiking.  The path led steadily uphill for 9 miles to our first camp, Mandara Hut.  The camp is located about 9,000 feet above sea level and the temperature has slowly slipped from a balmy 90 degrees to the upper 60′s.

Shortly after beginning our trek, the porters passed us carrying our duffel bags and the camp gear and food.  They are amazing.  While we’re walking up the mountain, they jog past us carrying all that heavy gear.

After six and a half  hours of hiking we arrived at Mandara Hut.  At camp the porters prepared our meal and we relaxed and talked with other climbers.  The huts hold about 60 people and have spring water piped down from the mountain.  There is a separate mess hut and another for toilets.

We got in just before dark and after a hearty meal of beef stew, soup, bread and hot coffee, I stumbled off to bed.  Aching in every muscle, sick to my stomach and with the ringing in my ears caused by Meniere’s Disease, I began going over my prospects for successfully completing the ascent.

Although I had made it 9 miles and could possibly make the 10 mile hike to Horombo Hut tomorrow, I knew that was the best I was going to make.  Also, the farther up the mountain I went, the farther I would have to hike back down.  Right then I had to look forward to a nine mile hike back down.  If I went on to Horombo, I would have 19 miles to retrace, and that without an overnight stop.  I knew then I had to stop.

In the morning, my decision to stop was reinforced by the realization that my legs had not recovered at all overnight.  They were totally worn out and the dizziness was worsening.  I informed Charley and the guides of my decision and, after lunch we headed back down the trail.

Detroit Metro Airport. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Once in the terminal, we were given conflicting information about where to go and ended up circling the terminal twice before finding out we needed to go up to the 6th floor to clear customs.

We hopped in the first open elevator and zipped up to the 6th floor.  There we were informed we needed to obtain our electronic tickets.  We begged, pleaded with and threatened the ticket kiosk, but could not get it to spit out our tickets.  A guard then pointed us to a long line of other people who had also been refused by the kiosk.  After waiting our turn, we were given tickets and checked our baggage.  We boarded our plane and got ready for our eight hour flight to Amsterdam.

Shortly after takeoff, we were served supper.  I don’t know whose idea it was to serve chicken in a very watery barbecue sauce, but I’m sure he’s thoroughly enjoying watching people seated in a crowded airplane trying to eat barbecued chicken with plastic forks on those tiny fold down table tops.

After giving up on the chicken, I decided to check out the movies and music on board, so I popped the remote control out of the arm of my chair only to find it had more buttons than the NASA Control Center in Houston, none of which could I get to work.

Giving up on the entertainment, I decided to turn my attention to resetting my clock to the appropriate time.  I was immediately faced with the issue of what is the appropriate time.  My ticket said we would arrive in Amsterdam at 7:30 a.m. Amsterdam time.  However, we were flying on to Tanzania, Africa, so why should I care about the time in Amsterdam?  Oh, sure I did need to know when to board the flight from Amsterdam at 12:00, but was that reason enough to reset my clock?  And, by the way, does anybody remember which way you turn your clock when you’re

flying East?  Do you move forward six hours or back six hours?  Since we’re coming back in less than two weeks does it really make any sense to change our clocks anyway?

Kilimanjaro International Airport. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

About then, I noticed I was becoming chilled.  I turned my air control off, but continued getting colder and colder.  I got a blanket and still the cold got worse.  I began shivering until I was shaking all over.  My Wife saw me shivering and got another blanket, but still I shook uncontrollably.  As we descended into Amsterdam, the shivering subsided to be replaced by nausea and a headache.  The flight crew arranged for a wheelchair and we landed.

In Amsterdam, my Wife wheeled me to near the next boarding gate, but even nearer the bathroom, which became my closest friend for the next two and a half hours.

My Wife wheeled me aboard the 777 bound for Kilimanjaro International Airport and gradually the nausea lessened and I slept most of the eight hour flight to Kilimanjaro.

Without further incident, we landed at Kilimanjaro and headed for customs.  There was some delay in my passport and visa being accepted and, upon inquiry as to the problem, were told it looked like I had gotten a haircut since having the picture taken for the passport.

At last we arrived at our hotel and I spent the next 2 days in bed with the headache still persisting.  We postponed our climb for a day to give me time to recover, but I never really recovered and was unable to complete the climb.  I never found the cause of my illness.  One person speculated that I may well have passed a kidney stone over the North Atlantic, but I didn’t know.  The symptoms did seem consistent, so to be on the safe side, I began taking the antibiotic Cipro.  The Cipro may or may not have helped with whatever ailed me, but the certainty is that it sent me back to the bathroom where, I have spent most of this adventure.

Photo by Charley Mace.

Where Craig Kiser will attempt to be in just a few days-the peak!

Photo by Charley Mace.

Ascending on a cleared trail through the rain forest. This is where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals and wildlife are found.

Photo by Charley Mace.

Craig hiking through the tropical rain forest on his way to the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Photo by Charley Mace.

At Mandara Hut, which is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing and also a good place to sleep for your first night. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.

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Image via Wikipedia

Several people have asked me how I am training for my attempt to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro.  There are probably as many training methods employed by people preparing to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro as there are people making the attempt.  I don’t claim my method is better or even as good as any other one, but here is how I trained.  We’ll find out how good it is after my climb.

I began in late October, 2009 by doing pushups, situps, stomach crunches and deep knee bends each morning and before bed.  I did these 5 days a week and rested 2 days.  I started walking 1 to 2 miles twice a day 5 days a week.  Each week I increased the distance by a mile until I was hiking 6 to 8 miles at an outing.

Unfortunately, my routine was interrupted in January with gall stones.  In February my gall bladder was removed and I wasn’t able to resume training until March.  At that time, I had to start over because much of the training was lost to inactivity for 2 month.

Throughout March, April and June I regained what I had lost in January and February.  It was becoming difficult to train so hard in the Florida heat and humidity, but I was able to get back to being able to hike 6 to 8 miles per day.

In July we traveled to our home in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where the temperature was 10 to 15 degrees cooler and there was less humidity.  Also, our home in Michigan is about 900 feet above sea level; not real high, but much higher than Venice, Florida, which is at sea level.  This somewhat minor sounding difference may well make a big difference in becoming acclimated to high altitude on Kilimanjaro.

In Michigan, I resumed my hiking schedule with 2 changes.  Our home is located on a bluff about 50 feet above a lake.  We have a stairway down to the lake with 54 steps.  Each day, I ran up and down the stairs several times.  Also, I loaded my backpack with the gear I will be carrying on Kilimanjaro and wore it on my daily hikes.

So far, all of this sounds like the way most people would prepare, but remember I’m blind.  You may wonder how a blind person could hike several miles unassisted.  Actually I was assisted.  I used my BrailleNote Apex, a device similar to a laptop computer, but with a braille display and the ability to speak aloud whatever is being displayed.  It has a talking GPS with maps of the entire United States, including millions of points of interest such as stores, restaurants, gas stations, banks, parks, etc.  With my BrailleNote I was able to create walking routes of any distance I desired and then walk the route with the GPS pointing out each turn, intersection and point of interest along the way.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, Africa.

The training didn’t always go smoothly.  About 2 weeks ago, I switched hiking boots, forgetting that I had taken the innersole and used them in another pair of boots.  That day I hiked 10 miles and got major blisters on both feet.  That cost me 2 days of training, a trip to the doctor and a great deal of pain.  Little things can mean a lot.

Beginning the first of August, I again changed my routine.  Wearing my backpack, I traded my long white cane for a pair of trekking poles, which is what I will be using on the Kilimanjaro climb, and had my brother attach a small bell to our golf cart and had him lead me down the 4 wheeler trails around the area.  I had him go as fast as I could fast walk over miles of sand, rock, tree roots and pot holes.  This quite accurately mimics the terrain at the beginning of the route up Mt. Kilimanjaro, even to the swarms of mosquitoes chasing us down the trails.

My intense training will conclude Sunday, August 15, a week before we leave for Africa.  This will give me time to rest and restore myself before the climb.  It will also avoid any risk of blisters or injuries such as twisted ankles which would be disastrous at this point.  Well, we’ll soon find out if this was a successful training program.  My next report will be from Tanzania, Africa.

To learn more about the Mt. Kilimanjaro Challenge, how to donate and the Blind Services Foundation of Florida, visit us at http://www.floridablindservices.org.

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The trail leading up to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Follow Craig Kiser, a 63-year-old blind man from Venice, Florida, as he takes on Mt. Kilimanjaro in September of 2010. Why set out on such a dangerous journey? To raise money for the Blind Services Foundation of Florida and to raise awareness of the true nature of blindness– that it is public perceptions and misconceptions that are the greatest disability to the blind.

“People assume that blind people are unable to live successful lives, based on the myths and misconceptions about the ability and competence of the blind,” said Craig. “I want to demonstrate that the greatest disability of blindness is the limitations we impose on ourselves because of low expectations arising from past myths and misconceptions about blindness and the blind.”

To learn more about the Mt. Kilimanjaro Challenge, how to donate and the Blind Services Foundation of Florida, visit us at http://www.floridablindservices.org.