This summer, five children made a big move from their homes in Tanzania to the United States. This move saved their lives.
In parts of Africa, people with albinism are hunted for their body parts, which can fetch thousands of dollars on the black market for their supposed magical powers. Emmanuel Rutema, Kabula Masanja, Pendo Noni, Baraka Lusambo and Mwigulu Magesa were no exception. Men broke into homes in the middle of the night to dismember the children and sell their limbs to witch doctors to use in potions.
In New York, the kids were given new prosthetic limbs and new hope. The Global Medical Relief Fund and founder Elissa Montanti brought the children to the charity's home on Staten Island. The children, ages 5 to 17, have been in the U.S. since June and will return to safe houses in Tanzania once they can properly use their new limbs.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press
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