Caring for a child with albinism : a pastoral challenge

Abstract

The absence of proper, effective human developmental plan in communities has detrimental effects on the rearing and caring of children with different skin pigmentation. Children living with Albinism are not spared from this effect as they are classified with impairments of visual, hearing, or physical, which restrict them from full and equal participation in society. Their existence as individual are questioned based on their skin pigmentation and nothing else. The higher the impact makes churches and communities to be challenged and they end up losing their moral ground. In other countries, the same children have lost their lives, and it is not documented on how did the church or community of faith console, heal or exercise compassion. There is perceived inadequacy in the area of pastoral care and support services to families who are in danger of misguided beliefs due to a child born with Albinism. The care offered to such family’s shows adequacy from the side of the church and pastoral care practitioners. This research raises several questions that will guide this project. That are the children living with Albinism given enough care and respect. Are pastors aware of the circumstances they are experiencing on the individual? How can this problem be corrected by the church? These are few of the questions that drove into having this research. The aim of this research is to first investigate these perceptions, misguided beliefs and sub cultural myths that surrounds their births. This will establish the link between the communities, pastoral care practitioners and families that have children living with Albinism. In addition, will give clarity on the factors contributing to their inhuman treatment. There are no best international practices on how to communities can deal with Albinism. Churches and religious institutions were against such humiliation; however, the whole exercise ended there ended there, without any documented information on the level of after care to those affected. A great deal of work done has been on the concept such as children with other disabilities, (special needs) and cerebral palsy this is according to (Chimhenga and Musarurwa: 2011). The data of this study was collected from different individuals with interview and was analysed descriptively. A semi-structured interview was conducted with the help of a professional Social Worker and self-constructed questionnaire was used as a qualitative data collection. The guideline in the findings provided the conclusion of this study. That People living with Albinism needs to be cared for. Based on the above objectives, the model created is address their challenges and help the church community and pastors to engage.