By Kundai Marunya
IN many parts of Africa, people living with albinism continue to face widespread discrimination, social exclusion and even violent attacks driven by myths and misinformation.
In Zimbabwe, while awareness has improved over the years, challenges remain — many individuals with albinism struggle to access essential skincare products, face economic marginalisation and experience stigma from their communities.
However, amid these challenges, one woman has dedicated her life to making a difference.
Reverend Rachel Mushonga has become a pillar of hope, tirelessly working to improve the lives of people living with albinism.
Through her non-governmental organisation (NGO), Wailing Women, she provides sunscreen, clothing and food to those in need.
More than that, she is creating opportunities for self-sufficiency, ensuring that people with albinism are not just recipients of charity but active participants in their own empowerment.
Rev Mushonga’s mission began in a most personal way — by simply caring.
In case you are wondering, Rev Mushonga is not living with albinism!
When she got married and moved to her husband’s community, she noticed how people with albinism were often neglected and misunderstood.
Many struggled with sunburns due to lack of proper skin protection, while others were shunned and treated as outcasts.
Rather than looking the other way, she welcomed them into her home, shared meals with them, and treated them with the dignity they deserved.
She believed that the first step to ending discrimination was fostering inclusion.
By dining and spending time with them, she sent a powerful message to the community that people with albinism are not different, nor should they be treated as such.
What started as personal acts of kindness soon grew into something bigger. Realising the scale of the need, she decided to formalise her efforts and register an NGO.
With the help of church members, she founded Wailing Women, an organisation dedicated to improving the welfare of people with albinism.
Albinism remains a deeply misunderstood condition.
Many people still believe in harmful superstitions, viewing individuals with albinism as cursed or even magical.
These myths have, in some cases, led to horrific violence in certain parts of Africa, where body parts of people with albinism are believed to bring wealth or good fortune.
While Zimbabwe does not have as many reported cases of violence compared to other countries, discrimination remains prevalent.
People with albinism often struggle to find jobs, receive inadequate healthcare, and are sometimes excluded from social activities.
Children with albinism face bullying at school, and adults encounter barriers to economic independence.
Understanding this, Reverend Mushonga structured her programmes in a way that fosters inclusion rather than separation.
“I recently urged the Mayor of Harare to give only one person living with albinism a job in the Traffic Enforcement Department and this was granted.” said Rev Mushonga.
She ensures that her initiatives — whether food distribution or business training — are not exclusively for people with albinism.
Instead, she involves the wider community, encouraging interactions that break down stigmatic barriers. By blending her work with mainstream community activities, she helps shift public perception, making integration a natural process.
Unlike many charitable initiatives that rely on international donors, Rev Mushonga’s work is almost entirely supported by local efforts.
She raises money through personal networks, including friends, relatives and even her own children, who contribute what they can to help sustain Wailing Women.
A significant portion of her funding also comes from her own farming ventures.
She uses the proceeds from her agricultural activities to buy sunscreen, food and other necessities for the people she helps.
This makes her initiative unique — rather than depending on foreign aid, she has built a sustainable, community-driven support system.
Additionally, corporate entities, like Zimplats, have stepped in to provide regular sunscreen donations, recognising the crucial role sun protection plays in the health of people with albinism.
With these contributions, she has been able to expand her reach beyond her immediate community, touching lives in places as far as Masvingo and Bulawayo.
While providing essential supplies is important, Rev Mushonga is determined to go beyond charity.
She believes in equipping people living with albinism the skills to be self-sufficient, ensuring they can earn a living and break free from economic dependency.
One of her most innovative initiatives is training people living with albinism to make their own lotion.
By teaching them how to produce and sell lotion, she is providing them with an income-generating opportunity.
“I also have craft work initiatives for people living with albinism and the generality of women which I run at community halls such as Mai Musodzi in Mbare,” she added.
However, challenges remain.
The biggest hurdle they face is sourcing ingredients, which are often expensive and not readily available on local markets.
Despite this, Rev Mushonga remains hopeful. She continues to seek partnerships that could help reduce costs, allowing more people to benefit from the initiative.
As her work continues to grow, Rev Mushonga is now working towards an even bigger goal — establishing a school specifically designed for people with albinism.
“Education is a powerful tool for empowerment, but many children with albinism struggle in mainstream schools due to discrimination, lack of specialised learning materials and environmental factors such as exposure to excessive sunlight,” she said.
Her vision is to create a learning institution that not only provides quality education but also caters to the unique needs of children living with albinism.
Finding land for this project has been a challenge, but she remains committed to making it a reality.
With the right support, her dream could soon materialise, giving many young people a safe space to learn and thrive.
Rev Mushonga’s journey is one of selflessness and determination.
Through her work, she has transformed countless lives, proving that true change begins with compassion and community-driven solutions.
However, the road ahead is still long. She needs more resources to expand her programmes, secure land for the school and ensure a steady supply of ingredients for the lotion-making initiative.
Those who wish to support her — whether through donations, volunteering or helping source affordable ingredients — have the chance to be part of something truly impactful.
In a world where people with albinism often face exclusion and hardship, Rev Mushonga is proving that kindness, inclusion and empowerment can turn the tide.
Through her efforts, she is not just changing individual lives — she is transforming communities and creating a future where people with albinism are fully accepted, valued and given the opportunities they deserve.
