The Albino Foundation

Projects and Programs - Fields of Work - Events
PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES

To be able to enhance the overall development of albinos and to provide the needed resources to keep albinos engaged in a fulfilled and productive life, the Albino Foundation has come up with programmes and projects to achieve this goal. Some of this projects are ongoing, while some are proposed for in the future:


               

EVENTS

  • The TAF Foundation recognised that most of the myths, social discrimination and hatred for individuals living with Albinism were borne out of societal ignorance. To eradicate the widespread ignorance, the TAF Foundation launched an international media campaign for Albinos. This campaign enlisted the electronic and print media to educate Albinos, their families, friends, teachers, medical practitioners, government and the general public on Albinism, and the ways of managing the condition. Prominent in this media campaign on the plights and  rights of albinos was the interview granted by the  Founder/CEO of the  TAF Foundation, Jake Epelle to the BBC, on the programme: “Africa, have your say” on the 23rd of May, 2006. Other media enlightenment programmes have been serialized on Nigerian radio and television stations and in the newspapers.


  • The TAF Foundation held its first meeting (Pre-inaugural meeting) in July 2006 at Regency Exclusive Hotel, Ikeja. At this meeting, Albinos, mothers of Albinos and their friends shared life experiences and Dr. Vivian Eyoita a Dermatologist and Managing Director of Westpine H & CC Plc. was present to take questions on medical conditions related to albinism. The press was not left out as This Day Newspaper and the Punch covered the occasion.

  • The need for international cooperation on issues related to Albinism influenced the topic, “Global focus on Albinism” as the title of a speech delivered by Jake Epelle at NOAH’s 11th National Conference on Albinism held in Minneapolis, USA in July, 2006. The trauma and travails faced by most African Albinos were highlighted at the First Australian Albinism Conference held in August, 2006 as Jake Epelle spoke on “Albinos and Albinism- the African perspective”

  • On August 12, 2006, the TAF Foundation held a symposium with the theme; “Living with Albinism” at Paragon Guest House Ikeja. Dr. Vivian Eyoita spoke on Skincare, Nutrition and lifestyle choices for persons living with Albinism while, Jake Epelle spoke on Overcoming Stigmatization and Low Self Esteem.  The electronic and print media were represented at the event as LTV, Eko FM, NTA, BBC, FRCN, Vanguard, National Mirror and Guardian Newspaper were on ground to cover the symposium.

  • Furthermore, the Inaugural Dinner cum Award Ceremony of the Albino Foundation (TAF) took place on September 12, 2006 at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island Lagos. This event featured as guest speakers, Prof. Yetunde Mercy Olumide, a professor of Medicine and Dr. Douglas Anele (an Albino), a senior lecturer of the Department of Philosophy, both of the University of Lagos. The occasion was graced by dignitaries representing the government and private sectors: Mr. Henry Adeniyi Balogun, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Ibe Ekocha, Special Assistant to the Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Professor Kofi Duncan, Shola Obasa- Chairman Omicron, Larry Izamoje- Chairman Brila FM, Paul C. Abolo, President Nedlink Logistics International, Wale Ojo; Chairman Time Television and a host of others also added colour to the event. A documentary, titled ‘On Your Own’ highlighted some of the issues discussed at the inaugural ceremony. The children were not left out of the celebration as they thrilled the audience with their performance. The award ceremony rewarded contributions to humanity and especially to albinos from corporate bodies, individuals and the press as plaques and lapel pins of the Foundation were also presented to individuals in two categories: Most Valuable Personalities (MVP) and Role Model Personalities (RMP). The press was highly represented as National Mirror, This Day, The Punch, AIT, Channels TV, LTV, NTA and Ray Power were in attendance.

  • The TAF Foundation on September 23, 2006 at Niiras Restaurant, Ikeja, held yet another symposium with the theme, “Leadership and relationship in Albinism”. Guest speakers were Prof. Yetunde Mercy Olumide and Hon. Ade Adegbenjo (An Albino)- Member of the House of Representative who spoke on “Character and integrity, the hallmark of Albinism”. The press was represented by The National Mirror and The Nigerian Tribune.

  • On 21st October, 2006, movie stars; Richard Mofe Damijo and Stella Damasus spoke on ‘The Way to the Top’ when they played guests at the Foundation’s symposium on the Theme- ‘Building Confidence and Influencing Your World’. Professor Peter Omoluwabi of the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Lagos also enlightened the audience on handling rejection, in his words- “The Psychology of Self Centred Attention”



Upcoming Events:

The First National Conference on  Albinism, under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Albino Foundation will hold in Abuja on March 10th 2007. Contact the Albino Foundation for participation and sponsorship details.




















FIELDS OF WORK

The Albino Foundation  supports ideas and develops initiatives for albinos in various fields of human need, from capacity development to economic empowerment, human rights of albinos, health, and learning/education—although it recognizes that many new ideas cut across multiple fields or aim to create new ones.

Inspired by this pioneering initiative, TAF strive to define and advance the innovations in each field, challenging social discriminations and stereotypes and investing in new strategies with the potential for long-lasting systematic change for albinos.

Economic Development:

By expanding economic opportunities and strengthening the capacity of albinos to access information and resources that are  responsive to their  needs,  the Albino Foundation is creating  economic independence for albinos in Nigeria.

Health: The Albino Foundation is improving the quality of health of albinos in Nigeria and Africa by strengthening health care delivery systems, increasing access to essential health information, leading campaign for the inclusion of albinos in health care policies   and establishing partnerships with other organizations that afford quality health for albinos.

Human Rights: All over Nigeria, TAF leads and supports initiatives and innovations that secure the full range of civil, political, and social rights for all persons living with albinism and their families. Efforts are being made to make sure that albinos are granted indoor occupations where necessary.

Learning/Education: The Albino Foundation supports the development of new methods for learning and education that take the visual plight of albinos into consideration. It is the hope of TAF that all relevant education authorities will incorporate appropriate learning curriculum and programs that encourage problem solving, decision making and creativity for albinos.

This page was last updated: May 5, 2007