International Albinism Awareness Day 2024
The preparations for the commemoration started with an earlier call by Zambia Agency for persons with disability to the Provincial offices; to submit budgets towards the 13th June proposed activities. The budgets were prepared and directed to ZAPD for further scrutiny and approval. However, on the 6th of June; we were informed that all the resources had been committed towards the hosting of the National Commemoration which would take place in Kasama; Northern Province. The Director General, (ZAPD) informed us that this decision was arrived at by an appointed committee responsible for the planning of the activities for the commemoration. He advised us to proceed to look for our own resources if we insisted on having the Provincial commemorations for 2024. Albinism Multipurpose Cooperative, decided to start fundraising within the Province and Choma, Mazabuka town in specific.
However, looking at the actual commemoration; we worked out a fundraising strategy. We also engaged Government officials in order to establish why the Provincial Commemorations would not be financed. After seven days of fundraising; Albinism Multipurpose Cooperative managed to gather some funds and material assistance from well-wishers (see attached expense amortization). Our cooperative also mobilized some of our own finances in order to make the IAAD 2024 commemoration possible (see attached expense amortization).
The highlights of the day were as follows;
Persons With Albinism from as far as Chivuna; Mazabuka and Kanchele in Kalomo District indicated the desire to be part of the gathering in Choma district. They saw this as an opportunity to engage with Government and highlight their various plights; while meeting their colleagues from various parts of the province. The day was marked and spiced by a march past from the main post office up until the Choma Museum passing through the Central business district. The colorful event was graced by the UCZ Shampande Band and led by our own District commissioner; Mr. Gamela Sikaleya; who also flagged off the march past. The DC was accompanied by officials from ZAPD; Albinism Multipurpose Cooperative; Social Welfare, Persons With Albinism and their families. The march-past was a colorful addition to the commemoration of IAAD 2024.
The celebrations culminated in the gathering at the Choma Museum where we were addressed by the District Commissioner; ZAPD representative Mr. Ngambi and finally Mr. Mutinta Magande representing Albinism Multipurpose Cooperative. commemoration was spiced up by entertainment from Mr. Mundia-D-Compound (in photo above) who played his ‘namalwa’ in pomp style; with a message dedicated to the Albinism plights and disappointment of being overlooked in the 2024 IAAD national commemorations. It was clear that the disappointment towards ZAPD and Its appointed committees was well felt across the Province.
The International Albinism Awareness Day Choma; commemorations ended with all invited Persons With Albinism enjoying a sumptuous meal by PMB Snack lite restaurant right within the Museum Grounds. The cost of hosting such an event did not come easy or cheap; but as Albinism Multipurpose Cooperative; the option of having to travel to Kasama; a distance of nearly 1000 km was not going to work out for the nearly 100 plus Persons with Albinism that wanted to be part of this 10 Year Global celebrations. Most of the Persons With Albinism across the Province did not make it to Choma due to the limited finances and lack of support from part of the business community. Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) is almost nonexistent in Choma; the Provincial Capital of Southern Province. We would like to extend our gratitude to the many business houses that came to our aid at such short notice. The many individuals that sacrificed the little they had to ensure that the Persons With Albinism manage to travel from very far areas in order to commemorate this auspicious day in Choma town. We are equally disappointed with our Local Municipality in Choma for not having supported the IAAD 2024 commemorations; despite fully assisting them during the last Covid pandemic.
The hosting of International Albinism Awareness Day comes once every June 13th and Zambia Agency for Persons With Disability must ensure that it is commemorated in the most befitting way possible. Not only through words; but through proper Provincial involvement and financial assistance towards the same. As Albinism Multipurpose Cooperative we will strive to ensure that the voices of Persons With Albinism are heard and they get their deserved share of the National cake through such events. The following are some of the highlights of the IAAD 2024 Choma Commemoration.
