By WAKHUNGU ANDANJE
March 17, 2026| In Malava, Kakamega County, a powerful message of resilience and belonging is being written by students who have spent much of their lives feeling invisible. The recent transition of the Ana Antami community from a CBO to a fully-fledged NGO, complete with a training college, marks a new chapter of hope for persons with albinism in the region.
Ana Antami, an Arabic name meaning “I Belong,” is the vision of founder Sherleen Tunai Lumumba. Her mission is deeply personal, born from a childhood marked by the very stigma her organisation now fights. She recalls a painful incident where a curious classmate, having heard myths about albinism, slit her arm with a razor blade to see if her blood was green, as the superstition claimed.
“We have even been used as scaring beings for crying babies,” Lumumba shares, detailing the isolation. The trauma extends beyond name-calling; she notes that pernicious myths have led to horrific acts of sexual violence against persons with albinism, particularly in South Nyanza, with some victims contracting HIV/AIDS as a result. This constant othering, she explains, leaves many in the community either withdrawn with low self-esteem or aggressively defensive.
It is to combat this that the Ana Antami Training College was established. The NGO focuses on four key areas: health (including skin cancer prevention), eye care, livelihoods, and education. Its flagship program, “Hatua Mpya” (New Beginning), offers a free 10-month certificate course in fashion and design, providing practical skills for employment or entrepreneurship.
“Most children born with albinism come from very humble backgrounds, making education a tall order,” Lumumba said. “We began this campus to equip them with the skills to fend for themselves.”
Fashion trainer Grace Achieng described the joy of watching her students, the first cohort of which graduated last month, evolve from tentative beginners into confident designers. The college, however, faces challenges, including limited resources and equipment to meet growing demand. A deeper hurdle is the lingering fear within the community itself; many applicants sign up but fail to report, suspicious of offers of help.
Guest of honour Nathan Ochunge, Executive Director of COSDEP, praised the NGO’s launch, emphasizing that the vulnerability of persons with albinism is social, not biological. “It is written not in their genes, but in our silence,” he said. He called on the government to strengthen inclusive education and ensure access to essential healthcare like sunscreen, which remains out of reach for many.
Citing the 2019 census, Ochunge noted that Kenya is home to over 9,700 persons with albinism, though advocates believe the true number is higher, with many remaining hidden due to fear of persecution. He recalled the words of UN expert Ikponwosa Ero, stating, “Albinism is a genetic condition, not a curse.”
For founder Sherleen Lumumba, Ana Antami is about replacing that fear with pride. The college not only teaches skills but also educates students on their legal rights and encourages self-acceptance.
“Our main target is to give them that space to live, to access employment, and to feel part of society,” she said. From the scars of childhood to the helm of a movement, Lumumba is ensuring that for her students, the words “I Belong” are no longer a question, but a declaration.