I was born twenty years ago, in the Magu district of Mwanza, in Northern Tanzania. I live with my mum and two brothers. My father walked out on us when I was three and I haven’t seen him since. I was the only one with albinism in our village, but life there wasn’t bad: the villagers were nice to us and looked out for me sometimes; I was free to roam around and visit neighbours. I was happy, and felt accepted.
As I entered my teens, the killings of people with albinism spread to nearby villages. Terrified, my mum withdrew me from school. She feared that the horrible things happening elsewhere would soon happen to me. Eventually, we moved to the city to be safer, where I resumed (and completed) my primary education. Teachers in the city were more informed about albinism than they had been in my village. They understood I had to be close to the board to see, and were helpful in enabling me to learn. Still, things weren’t straightforward: many of my peers rejected me, and I was only able to make friends with other children who had already been bullied or ostracised.
I tried carrying on with school, but my family didn’t have enough money so I had to start working. Today, I make a living by selling fish. With the money I make, I buy more fish, cook it, and sell it at the local market close to home. My mum helps me. She’s very supportive, and very helpful since I’m pregnant. I’m hoping to start saving the money I’m making to finance my studies because I want to go back to school. For now, I spend all the money I make on living and buying more fish.
This job is challenging because I can’t be too close to the fire when I prepare the fish. Sometimes there’s someone to help me but when there isn’t, I can’t do my job.
The Summer Skills Workshop was my first encounter with Standing Voice. Joining the tailoring workshop, I learned how to use electrical sewing machines, cut fabrics, and make hats and handbags. Initially I struggled to thread the needle because of my vision, but practice has made it easier. All you really need is passion and commitment.
In the future, I’d like to learn how to make ladies’ dresses, so I can sell those and make money. I want to be the best tailor. If I want, I can decide to drop the fishing business and start a new one in tailoring. I know I can do that, because I’m fearless and I’m positive.
© 2026 Standing Voice
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