Josephat Torner

Josephat was a human rights activist with albinism from Tanzania.

He was trying to change the world for people with albinism in East Africa

His main activities were : raising awareness and educating the society on albinism to de-mystify the community taboos. In Tanzania and many other African countries people with albinism are not safe, because some people think their bones can bring good luck, when they are used in medication prepared by witchdoctors, many people with albinism have been killed or mutilated. That is why people with albinism, including many children, have to live in shelters, away from their family to stay safe.

Josephat Torner was well-known; he spoke all over the world about the problems people with albinism are facing in Africa.

His mission was to break the silence. He wants to speak for all of those children with albinism who aren’t able to stand up for themselves. He wanted to give a voice to the children who didn’t get a chance to live, because of the prejudices. He wanted to establish a community where people with albinism don’t have to hide and where they can become a full member of society.

Other activities for the benefit of people with albinism were the planting of trees to create more shade, to prevent people from getting skin cancer. Providing scholarships for children and youngsters with albinism so they can go to school and improve their chances in life.

Josephat was a man always full of plans and ideas to improve the world for people with albinism. And he was also full of energy to realise these plans and ideas. We can only try to give you a short impression of his legacy on this page and the media page.

Josephat Torner featured in the documentary film “In the shadow of the sun” (Film by Harry Freeland, UK, 2012).