Education Programme & Resources
Education
Children with albinism in Sierra Leone are frequently excluded from and drop out of school for multiple reasons: constant name-calling and bullying, lack of accommodation in the classroom in relation to sight loss, lack of shade in the school playground/being forced outside during break times, lack of understanding on the part of teachers about the learning potential of children with albinism. Commonly held misperceptions about the cognitive ability of people with albinism impact upon learning outcomes.
We have developed a teacher’s guide and deliver teacher training within colleges and within school settings, as well as general school awareness sessions.
Our schools resource and accompanying poster exercise is aimed at promoting accurate information and encouraging pupils to think about how they may support people with albinism in their community.
We follow up with schools regarding specific targeted accommodations (eg seating, book rests, glasses, large font materials) to ensure that children with albinism are supported to attend school. Contact us if you would like us to make a school visit – either to deliver awareness-raising or to support a child with albinism.
We are working to:
Create a supportive learning environment for children with albinism, reducing the high drop-out rate from school.
Contribute towards the creation of a generation of children and young people who better understand albinism, disability and difference.
Training of Midwives
Many mothers tell us that they received negative feedback when their child with albinism was born which created problems for the family and with bonding with the child. These include questioning who may have fathered the child, and asking if the mother did something during pregnancy. Women with albinism also experience insensitive comments when accessing maternity services. Myths and misunderstanding about albinism promote stigma and harm the mental health of children and parents.
The arrival of a child with albinism in the world can set the stage for its future acceptance into the family and community and we want to ensure that midwifery care is informed and sensitive.
Our midwifery training, which we have delivered at Ola During Hospital, aims:
- To create a supportive environment for women who deliver a baby with albinism as well as for women with albinism who access maternity services;
- To be a key source of referrals to SLAPWA and to skin clinics as midwives tell mothers about the Association, and the availability of free sunscreen and other support.
We offer a Welcome Baby Package and a supportive community of peers for new mothers of babies with albinism. Please contact the Helpline 00232 76429890 for support and information.
Visitors are welcome
We have our Head Office in Freetown (see image here of the signboard on Station Road; we are located up the hill) and small teams based in Makeni and in Bo, coordinating activities and volunteers in the provinces.
Address
34D Off Station Road, Furniture, Mayeimi Barracks, Allen Town, Freetown
Helpline
00232 76429890
The Director: slapwa.sl@gmail.com
Social
Resources
Our guide for people with albinism in Sierra Leone, aimed at both people with albinism and those who care for them, is available below for downloading and paper copies can be collected from our office.
Our educational resources are available for downloading at School Work and Resources, and hard copies are available from our office.
Albinism Booklet for Teachers
Understanding Albinism
Design your
own poster
