Victim of superstition, albino children get prosthetic limbs

The United Nations estimates that at least 75 albinos were killed in Tanzania between 2000 and 2015. Albinos are attacked for their body parts, which are highly prized in witchcraft and can fetch a large amount of money. Superstition also leads many people in Tanzania to believe that albinos are ghosts who bring bad luck.

Published on: Jun 10, 2017 5:49 PM IST

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A Tanzanian child with albinism who had an arm chopped off in a witchcraft- driven attack puts on his shirt during a prosthetic fitting at a hospital in Philadelphia, United States. Albinism in humans is a genetic disorder characterized by complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. Albinos are attacked for their body parts, which are highly prized in witchcraft and can fetch a large amount of money. Superstition also leads many people in Tanzania to believe that albinos are ghosts who bring bad luck. (Carlo Allegri/REUTERS)

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A 14 year old Tanzanian child with albinism gets help in an examination room during a prosthetic fitting at a hospital in Philadelphia. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 1400 people in Tanzania suffer from the genetic disorder. (Carlo Allegri/REUTERS)

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Four children with albinism who had recently lost their body parts owing to superstitious beliefs of witchcraft were offered free treatment by the Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia in America. (Carlo Allegri/REUTERS)

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In the above photo, children have dinner at a charity operated temporary foster home in New York. Their travel and housing expenses were covered by a charity that helps children who have been injured in conflicts or disasters. (Carlo Allegri/REUTERS)

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The United Nations estimates that at least 75 albinos were killed in Tanzania between 2000 and 2015. (Carlo Allegri/REUTERS)

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In the above photo, 15 year old Emmanuel Rutema sketches a portrait at his temporary foster home in New York.In a witchcraft driven attack, his arm and fingers were chopped off and part of his tongue pulled out. (Carlo Allegri/REUTERS)

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A 7 year old Tanzanian child puts on his prosthetic limbs at a temporary foster home. The children are able to attach and adjust prosthetic arms to their bodies, wash their laundry by hand and hang it to dry and even make dinner. (Carlo Allegri/REUTERS)

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Children play air hockey as they wait to have lunch after a prosthetic fitting at a hospital in Philadelphia. (Carlo Allegri/REUTERS)