Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (Apam) president Young Muhamba has commended the government for constructing houses for people with albinism.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, he said the initiative has not only improved security for people with albinism but also given them dignity.
Muhamba further urged the government to increase the number of houses being constructed per year, saying the initial plan was for the government to construct 700 houses in five years.
“So far, the government has constructed 67 houses, which is a good start, but we need improvement to reach out to many people with albinism,” he said.
In a separate interview, Siyana Kamtengo, one of the people with albinism from Traditional Authority Masula in Lilongwe District, thanked the government for constructing a house for her.
She asked the government and well-wishers to help her with capital for business.
“Our grandmother is old, but my sister and I are strong and we can run businesses,” she said.
Ministry of Lands deputy director responsible for rural housing Kingsly Lungu expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress.
He said it was encouraging that since the government started constructing houses for people with albinism, there have been no reported cases of abductions.
“Government is implementing the project in all districts except Likoma where there is no person with albinism. People are very excited; they feel secure and safe. We believe that the initiative will prevent abductions of people with albinism,” he said.
The country has at least 11 000 people with albinism and the government has allocated K1 billion in the 2025/26 financial year budget for the construction of houses for people with albinism.
