MEET JANE WAITHERA

She is the co-founder of two initiatives, Positive Exposure Kenya and Climb for Albinism. She is best described as a prominent and influential voice in the fight against discrimination, exclusion and stigma faced by individuals with albinism not only in Kenya but across the continent.

Prior to becoming a well-renowned Albinism activist, she was once a young girl whom society deemed utterly different. In her own words, during an interview she did with the Center for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, she recalls “I knew I was different because of the way the society treated me, even from the stares. I knew I was different in a bad way; it’s not that kind of difference that is to be celebrated. My mother abandoned me, leaving me with my grandmother because of the stigma attached to my condition.”

Her school-going years were not any easier. “In school fellow students would cut me with blades to see if I bled. I struggled with a lot of things especially when it came to reading and writing. I was punished every other day because of my visual impairment which meant that I struggled to see my assignments and class work.” To counter this, “I was taught the simple technique of moving closer to the board whenever I had difficulties reading.” She hails her grandmother as her hero and pillar of strength who stepped in as her guardian and shielded her from society.

Having experienced the discrimination, exclusion and stigmatization that comes with being a person with albinism, she embarked on a path of self-acceptance and empowerment, determined to change the narrative surrounding albinism.

Positive Exposure Kenya

 In 2014, She co-founded Positive Exposure Kenya. The organization’s goal is to promote the well-being of People With Albinism(PWAs) by providing an opportunity for PWAs, their families and communities to celebrate diversity, challenge stigma and celebrate each individual’s extraordinary uniqueness. It focuses on education and advocacy through photography and storytelling to change the narrative on persons with albinism and challenge negative perceptions and stereotypes associated with albinism. Positive Exposure Kenya aims to highlight the beauty, strength, and resilience of individuals with albinism.

This, they continue to achieve, through programs such as ‘The Albinism and I” mobile site which is a tool of knowledge whose purpose is to create awareness and disseminate relevant information on understanding albinism through literature, animation and podcasts. Also, the initiative does a myriad of photo series that highlight persons with albinism with the aim of communicating through photographs that PWAs are normal people, leading normal lives just like any person without albinism, of course with their unique challenges.

 Further, this initiative seeks to empower PWAs through conducting training sessions that equip PWAs and their families with skills that can be income generating, relaying knowledge on available funds for PWAs to jumpstart their economic journey as well as providing funds for economic empowerment through partnerships.

Climb for Albinism

 In 2017, Jane Waithera founded "Climb for Albinism". This initiative has so far been highlighted by Jane and six other women climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to demonstrate the strength and resilience of women with albinism. “Our voices will be heard as no voice from the rooftop can be ignored”. The aim of the climb was to shift public perceptions of persons with albinism from victimhood to empowerment by displaying their capabilities, while consciously raising awareness about challenges persons with albinism often face.

Jane Waithera's journey from facing discrimination to becoming a powerful advocate for albinism is an inspiration to be emulated. Through Positive Exposure Kenya and Climbing for Albinism, she has shown that change is possible when one person's passion is combined with a vision for a more inclusive and non-discriminatory society. Her work continues to illuminate the lives of people with albinism in Kenya and even beyond. As an albinism activist, she is not only changing lives but also changing perceptions, one step at a time.

 At Black Albinism, we celebrate Jane Waithera for being a champion for PWAs and for using her voice to advocate for the rights of persons with albinism and perpetually creating awareness about Albinism.