Achievers with albinism- Tume Mphepo

Tume talks about albinism at an awareness day in Malawi

Tume talks about albinism at an awareness day in Malawi

This is Tume, she’s twenty years old and has recently (2016) graduated with a degree in Social Sciences, majoring in Economics. She is one of seven children, four of whom have albinism. Her parents and siblings are very supportive of her.

Tume’s early education 

Tume learned about her albinism when she was in standard 8, until then she just knew that she was short sighted and had to keep out of the sun because it hurt her skin. The area Tume grew up in was particularly hot; this caused her problems and meant that she could not go out to play with her friends. She now uses sun cream, an umbrella, hats and sunglasses to protect herself from the sun.

Tume always sat at the front of the class because of her poor eyesight; students made fun of her and called her ‘teacher’s pet’. She was provided with large print papers for exams but always had to ask for materials, they were never just given. Even now that she is at college, some of her lecturers are not supportive and some students won’t let her sit at the front.

What helped in Tume’s success

Tume faced discrimination when she went to church or to the market and people would call her names. Her parents are very supportive and have worked hard to get her to where she is. Their support, her determination and faith in God have got her to where she is today.

“God has kept me going”

 Tume’s role in advocacy for people with albinism

Tume is an advocate for the local Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) and this has helped her to realise she is not alone and she is not the only person going through these struggles.

 

Tume  gives her views on an information booklet for children as part of the Albinism in Africa project

Tume gives her views on an information booklet for children as part of the Albinism in Africa project

Bryony (DASH to Malawi trip 2015)  comments on meeting Tume and Emmie (also one of the Achievers with Albinism highlighted on this blog):

It was wonderful to listen to Emmie and Tume tell us about their lives and the challenges that they have faced, and over came, as a result of their albinism. They have demonstrated that although they have albinism, it does not define them. 

Emmie and Tume are not only role models within albinism; they are role models for all. They are strong and determined women who have overcome what the world has thrown at them while aspiring to help others in similar positions. Through all of this, they have become the successful women that they have – we could all learn from them.

Achievers with albinism: Emmie

“I am proud that I have albinism and have managed to get where I am”

Emmie

This is Emmie, she is a larger than life, chatty character who lights up the room

 At school Emmie had difficulty reading the board and textbooks, so always sat at the front of the class. A few friends copied notes for her and helped her to read from the board.

“You are treated like you are not a human being, but you get used to it”

Emmie has an advanced diploma and worked hard to get to where she is today. She works for the Ministry of Tourism, has been in her job for five years and is well accepted (she suspects that holding an important position helps!).

Emmie joined the Association of Persons with Albinism (APAM) in 2005 and is now the Vice Chair of the association. She is an advocate for albinism and is an inspiration, not only to those with albinism, but to all. She explains to communities about albinism and says that she has seen a change in attitudes over the years.

Other difficulties for those with albinism include relationships. Emmie has experienced acceptance from a partner, but discrimination from his family, she felt that “someone is discouraging him”. Fortunately, she is now in a new relationship. They plan to visit relatives as ‘friends’ to get to know them first. Her new partner says:

“it’s okay for me, I don’t see any difference between you and me”.

Written up by Bryony Downes

 

 

Life at the lodge

The team stay at Fisherman’s Rest outside Blantyre for most of the trip.

Hannah and Liz on an early morning run

Hannah and Liz on an early morning run

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooling off in the pool at FR

Cooling off in the pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our vehicle at Fisherman's Rest

Our vehicle at Fisherman’s Rest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early morning Chichewa lessons on the lawn

Early morning Chichewa lessons on the lawn

Gule Wamkulu – ‘Big Dance’

Bryony reports on a cultural experience- watching a local dance troupe.

A Gule Wamkulu is a traditional tribal dance that involves dancers taking on the persona of spirit while wearing a mask.

The dance has three functions:

    Education

    Therapy

    Entertainment

    Gule Wamkulu often take place on special occasions or at prestigious events.

The dance also involves music and singing. It begins when the drumming begins.

Hoards of onlookers came running to the middle of the village and within minutes the whole area was full!

More information on the student blog at:

http://www.dashtomalawi.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/gule-wamkulu-big-dance.html

The musicians and dancers pose, without their masks

The musicians and dancers pose, without their masks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The drums arrive in the village on a bike

The drums arrive in the village on a bike

 

 

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Nyau mask

A nyau mask

The monkey

The monkey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Girl project

Sophie reports on the My Girl project:

We were lucky enough to be able to observe and participate in education sessions for Project My Girl.

Aside from the science, these sessions ironed out the discrepancies between traditional beliefs of menstruation and the truth. It was shocking to learn some of the Malawian traditional myths that the girls originally believed and rewarding to observe them learn the truth and realize menstruation is a natural part of growing up.

Observing the progression in the girl’s knowledge and confidence to speak openly about menstruation was one of the most inspirational things about being part of Project My Girl. It was clear that the sessions had empowered the girls.

We handed out the reusable sanitary packs to each of the girls (three reusable sanitary pads and two pairs of knickers) once the girls had been shown how to use them. Each of the girls were so grateful and excited to receive their own packs and seeing their reaction was a touching experience which will stay with me.

My Girl training 1

My Girl 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women walking home after the training session

Women walking home after the training session

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily, a local tailor, making re-usable sanitary pads

Emily, a local tailor, making re-usable sanitary pads

Emily with a finished pad

Emily with a finished pad

The next trip- DASH to Malawi 2016

The 2015 group on a walk around Fisherman's Rest

The 2015 group on a walk around Fisherman’s Rest

We are running another work experience trip to Malawi in August/September 2016.

All students in the School of Life Sciences as well as students on OT, physiotherapy and dietetics courses are eligible to apply; all successful applicants will be sponsored by their School- £400 towards the cost of the trip and your travel insurance will be covered.

There are 14 places on this trip, so send your application to me as soon as possible!

Details in the file attached below, with some information on the past 2 trips.

Send your application to me (details of what needs to be included in your application in the attached file):

p.lund@coventry.a.c.uk

I look forward to receiving your applications.

Pat

 

Click here for more information and details of how to apply:

Trip to Malawi 2016

 

Woking in schools

Qualities of a respectable teacher

The theme of the trip was supporting education.

The group visited several schools, many of them in very rural settings, supporting their learning, playing sport and helping in their feeding programme.

Nat reads to a small group of enthusiastic children

Nat reads to a small group of enthusiastic children

Becky plays ball with a group

Becky plays ball with a group

Cataloguing books in one of the school libraries supported by the lodge where the group stayed

Cataloguing books in one of the school libraries supported by the lodge where the group stayed