Who We Are
Established in 2023, ana antami is a not-for-profit organization that empowers individuals with albinism to live with dignity, confidence, and inclusion. We exist to break harmful myths, defend human rights, and create opportunities that allow people with albinism to thrive, lead, and be celebrated for who they are.
Through education, rights advocacy, health awareness, and skills training, we are building a future where persons with albinism can belong without fear, thrive with pride, and lead with strength.
Our Story
Our founder, Sherleen Tunai (Lumumba), grew up navigating life with albinism in Kenya, where stigma, discrimination, and invisibility often overshadowed talent and potential. She knew too well what it felt like to be excluded and underestimated—but she also knew that silence was not an option.
With courage and vision, Sherleen chose to turn her story into a movement. Drawing inspiration and support from Kanthari, she began to shape a space where persons with albinism could not only belong but thrive. What started as a single step has grown into ana antami—a name that reflects identity, resilience, and new possibilities.
Our journey began with Hatua Mpya, a 9-month residential fashion and design training program. More than a skills course, it became a platform for self-expression, entrepreneurship, and dignity—proving that creativity can rewrite narratives. From there, other programs grew: raising awareness through Nihamasishe, building resilience with Nilivyo, defending rights under Linda, and saving lives through Maliza Cancer.
Today, ana antami is more than an organization—it is a movement of dignity, inclusion, and equal rights. We exist so that individuals with albinism are no longer defined by stigma, but by their voices, talents, and leadership.
Because everyone deserves to live not in the shadows of misunderstanding, but in the light of possibility.
Our Journey To The Vision
At ana antami, we believe change begins with seeing each other differently. For many years, persons with albinism have been viewed through the lens of stigma and fear. That is why our journey starts with awareness. Through Nihamasishe, we sit with communities, answer questions, and replace myths with truth. In those moments, a child with albinism stops being “different” and becomes a child like any other, with dreams and gifts waiting to be nurtured.
But awareness is only the first step. True dignity comes when people can stand on their own feet. That’s why empowerment is at the heart of our work. Through Hatua Mpya, young people discover more than fashion and design skills, they discover their voices, their talents, their worth. Parents tell us how their children, once shy and withdrawn, now walk tall and speak with confidence. That is empowerment, freedom born from self-belief.
We also know that life itself must be protected. Skin cancer has stolen too many of our brothers and sisters. With Maliza Cancer, we teach how to prevent, detect, and treat it—because dignity cannot exist without health, and no dream can be pursued when life is cut short too soon.
Hand in hand with cancer care is eye care, a need that is often invisible yet deeply felt. Many children with albinism struggle to read the blackboard or navigate daily life because of low vision. By providing eye check-ups, corrective lenses, and guidance on low-vision aids, we help unlock opportunities that were once clouded. When a child finally reads clearly or joins a classroom without fear, that is dignity restored.
Still, dignity and empowerment are incomplete without justice. Through Linda, we walk with those whose rights have been denied—whether in courtrooms, through policy advocacy, or in quiet conversations where courage is restored. Every case we address is a reminder that persons with albinism are not asking for favors. We are claiming what is already ours: the right to live freely, safely, and equally.
And because we care not just about today but also tomorrow, Nilivyo prepares individuals with albinism to face climate challenges. Too often, they are left out of the conversations that shape the future. We make sure their voices are included, their needs addressed, and their strengths recognized.
This is our mission — step by step, heart by heart.
It is not only programs, but journeys of healing, acceptance, and courage. Each story told and every barrier broken becomes a light guiding us forward — toward a world where dignity is lived, not requested; where persons with albinism rise with confidence, creativity, and voice. Every act of compassion, every shared smile, brings us closer to our vision of inclusion, equality, and belonging for all.
Core Values
Dignity
We believe every person deserves to be treated with honor and respect, regardless of their appearance or background. At ana antami, dignity means creating spaces where persons with albinism are valued for who they are, not judged by stereotypes. It is the foundation of self-worth and the starting point of true inclusion.
Inclusion
Inclusion is more than just being present—it is being welcomed, heard, and given equal opportunity to participate. We work to ensure that persons with albinism are not sidelined but are part of the social, educational, economic, and cultural life of their communities. Inclusion restores belonging.
Equal Rights
We stand firmly on the principle that persons with albinism have the same human rights as everyone else. This means equal access to healthcare, education, justice, and protection under the law. Upholding equal rights ensures that dignity and inclusion are not optional favors, but guaranteed entitlements.
Empowerment
We are committed to equipping individuals with the tools, skills, and confidence to take control of their own lives. Empowerment means moving from dependency to independence, from silence to voice, and from vulnerability to leadership. When persons with albinism are empowered, they become advocates, innovators, and changemakers for themselves and their communities.
Impact information
Individuals With Albinism Reached
Families Reached
Skin Cancer Cases Treated
Communities reached
Counties
Justice Interventions Completed
Join Us
Change begins when we come together. Join ana antami and be part of a movement that uplifts, protects, and empowers persons with albinism.
How You Can Help
There are countless ways you can help us in our quest for paws. You can make a donation (however big or small), join our fundraiser events, or volunteer your time and home as a foster parent.