The non-government organisation Ucan will be joining hands with other organisations today (27 April) to clean up the streets of Parow.
Ucan, or Universal Change 4 Albinism Nobles, was started by a group of people living with albinism in Parow.
“As we all know, on this day, 27 April all South Africans commemorate Freedom Day, but as persons with albinism our freedom is limited in many ways,” says founder Sylvia Mama.
The clean-up campaign, or Ucan Community Intervention Project (Ucip), is an initiative of the NGO.
“This community intervention project is part of our call to voice out the changes needed in things such as ill-treatment in the workplace, the lack of inclusiveness in schools, sport and entertainment.”
Mana says apart from assisting in cleaning some of the streets, especially around the railway station and surrounds, they also aim to introduce their cleaning campaign to the public on the day. “We intend for it to reach all Western Cape communities as well.”
There will be a number of persons with albinism who will be taking part in the clean-up campaign.
“We will also be assisted by a few other stakeholders such as the Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District (VRCID), Mould Empower Serve (MES) and its GROW Job Rehabilitation Programme, Yellow Door and the City of Cape Town.
“We are assisted by these organisations as they are already doing the work in the area. They are helping us with their resources and also taking the initiative in raising awareness about our albinism condition. We really appreciate their effort, words cannot really express our gratitude,” Mama says.
Gerda Gerber of MES confirmed that they will be taking hands with the NGO to clean up the streets in Parow.
“There is a certain stigma attached to people with albinism. Some people think that they are cursed, but this is not the case. They are absolutely normal people, just like you and me,” says Gerber.
She says often people with this condition are treated unfairly. Often people with albinism are not afforded the same opportunities or not allowed working opportunities, she says.
“If you make an effort to spend some time with them, you will realise that they are fantastic people. I worked once with a person with albinism and he was the most enjoyable person.
“There are obstacles that they face, but this is the case with every one of us,” Gerda says.
People who would like to assist can get in touch with the NGO’s marketing and communications manager, Sonele Ntsundwana, on 072 337 2755.
- Alternatively you can send a WhatsApp message to 068 432 0124 or visit their Facebook page “Universal Change 4 Albinism Nobles.”
