Living in the Shade

Tatu is a young albino girl from the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  Living in a society that is ignorant about albinism, Tatu endures tremendous hardship.  Cultural belief and superstition lead people around Tatu to believe that she has a disease and supernatural powers.  At school, she is treated unfairly and is ignored and shunned by the neighbourhood.

Superstitious beliefs mean that Tatu’s life is in constant danger.  She is oblivious to the gang lurking around, waiting to pounce and kidnap her and other albinos only to be sold to witchdoctors.  This book touches on aspects of the causes of albinism and how educating a society can change people’s mindsets.

Author:  Nahida Esmail.  Ms. Esmail has published three children’s books.  When not writing, she is busy with her 3-year old daughter and her photography.

Publisher:  Oxford University Press, http://oup.co.tz/