Summary
Empowerment
Imy journey from a taxi driver to an advocate for albinism has been a transformative experiment. Overcoming challenges and stereotypes, I used education and self-confidence to break barriers. The importance of awareness and understanding became evident as I navigated through a difficult past in my village.
Transforming lives through education and empowerment, I faced adversity with determination, transitioning from using fists for self-defense to promoting dialogue as a more effective option. Acquiring skills and volunteering with The Albino Foundation, I realized the power of community support.
This journey led me to establish the Center for Albinism Right and Empowerment Network (CAREN), aiming to nurture and empower people with albinism. Through my experiment, I challenged stereotypes, overcame self-doubt, and learned that education and dialogue can dismantle prejudice. CAREN stands as a testament to the impact of experimentation and empowerment, creating a more inclusive and accepting world by embracing our differences.
Empowerment-Life as an Experiment
I arrived for the first time at the taxi stop to pick up passengers in my car. Passengers would stop at my Toyota Corolla, which was admittedly a little fancier than the rest of the taxis parked there, look into the tinted windows, see me, a person with albinism, and quickly move on. The other taxi drivers actively tried to get passengers away from my car, saying I would definitely crash it. But nothing was going to stop my little experiment .
The First Weeks of the Experiment
After two weeks I got my first passenger. Word must have spread that I could drive just fine. In the rest of the two weeks of my month-long experiment, I got 500 passengers. Some even became friends.
Overcoming Challenges and Stereotypes
You must be wondering why I keep calling it an experiment. I did not exactly want to be a cab driver; I am sure I didn’t make a single penny from it.Wanted to gauge people’s reaction to seeing an Albino drive, a rare occurrence with only 2% of People with Albinism driving. Also wanted to test my own beliefs about the general public’s perceived discrimination against Albinism.
The Power of Education and Self-Confidence
This experience helped me overcome the barrier of self-pity and anxiety. It was not an easy realization to come by, especially given how I grew up. I caused high drama in my village of Taraba State, Nigeria when I was born. My family simply could not accept the situation when they saw the colour of my skin.
The Importance of Awareness and Understanding
The village was convinced my mother had been unfaithful. Those who didn’t actively accuse her of infidelity believed that she must have done something wrong to deserve such a child. My sister, later being born with the same condition only made matters worse. One day my father threw a rock at my mother’s neck, knocking her unconscious. Upon recovering, she had had enough. The solution? Sending me away to the city with a few Naira in hand.
Transforming Lives through Education and Empowerment
I loved to study. Back at my village I weathered the harsh sun and long distances to go to primary school. Battling constant severe sunburns only increased my determination to study. You can be sure I got bullied everywhere I went, but at that point in life, I used my fists to defend myself, much different than now, when I know dialogue is a much better option. Now in the city, I had to do labour jobs such as construction to continue my education. I managed to complete high school, attended a polytechnic, and later University.
The Role of Dialogue in Overcoming Prejudice
I was also fortunate to acquire many computers and photocopiers to commence a cybercafe and repair centre. This was another lesson learnt that the more skills you gain that people need, they will rally around you and the relationship will flow naturally. While in school, I started my volunteering work with an organization called The Albino Foundation and I was able to significantly raise their membership.
The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance
All the above gave me the joyous drive to start the Center for Albinism Right and Empowerment Network (CAREN) through which I want to nurture and encourage PWAs, to regain their self-confidence, be proud of their lives and be able to demand their rights and fight for equality of others like them.
Conclusion: The Impact of Experimentation and Empowerment
Through my experiment, I was able to challenge stereotypes and overcome my own self-doubt. I learned that education and self-confidence are powerful tools for empowerment, and that dialogue and understanding can help break down prejudice and discrimination. My journey has led me to create CAREN, an organization dedicated to promoting equality and empowering people with albinism. By embracing our differences and promoting education and awareness, we can create a more inclusive and accepting world.
Read more about Albinism and fellow participants of Abel who are working in the field of empowering people with Albinism. Participant 2023 page .
