ALBINISM IN AFRICA
ALBINISM IN AFRICA
the root of our purpose
Being different shouldn't be a disadvantage.
However, in many regions of the world, the difference can become a threat to one's own life.
This is the case with albinism, a genetic condition that affects the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of the skin, hair and eyes, and which makes the skin extremely sensitive to solar radiation.
Skin with no defense against the sun
In sub-Saharan Africa, the incidence of albinism is up to seven times higher than in Europe.
In countries like Tanzania or Malawi, one in every 2,500 people is born with this condition.
The combination of high sun exposure, a lack of adequate sunscreens, and a shortage of dermatologists, often one for every four million inhabitants, leads to that nine out of ten people with albinism die of skin cancer before the age of 30.
But the challenge is not only medical.
Lack of information and superstitious beliefs have led, in some places, to episodes of discrimination, exclusion, and even violence.
There is a black market for obtaining body parts from people with albinism because certain beliefs attribute supernatural powers to them, granting fortune to whoever possesses them.
Faced with this reality, scientific knowledge and education become tools for protection and dignity.
“In that context, cosmetics weren't a matter of aesthetics, but of survival.” — Mafalda Soto
Beyond Suncare: Science, Dignity, and Protection
In 2017, Mafalda Soto , a pharmacist and co-founder of UMOA, created Beyond Suncare , a non-profit organization that works in Africa to protect and empower people with albinism.
Their model, recognized by the United Nations as “Best Practice” , combines three pillars:
- Development of adapted photoprotectors , designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.
- Health and social education , delivered by local networks of women and health professionals.
- Inclusion and awareness , to eliminate myths and promote respect for people with albinism.
Beyond Suncare currently works in several African countries, in collaboration with ministries of health, universities and local communities.
From knowledge to action: the link with UMOA
UMOA was born precisely from this learning.
The prolonged study of albino skin, one of the most sensitive and vulnerable on the planet, made it possible to understand how to strengthen the skin barrier, reduce inflammation and improve tolerance to solar radiation.
That scientific experience, combined with the desire to generate a positive impact, gave rise to a new way of understanding cosmetics:
caring for the skin while respecting its nature and, at the same time, caring for those who need it most.
That's why UMOA and Beyond Suncare are structurally linked.
The NGO promotes research and training; UMOA transforms that knowledge into cosmetic innovation.
And part of the brand's profits are reinvested in Beyond's dermatological health and education programs.
Thus, each care routine is part of a real network of protection, science, and empathy.
