Until recently, Elizabeth’s path forward appeared smooth. With a scholarship from Standing Voice, she had worked hard throughout primary and secondary school and had finally reached university: an extraordinary achievement and the result of years of dedication and commitment.

At university, Elizabeth was pursuing her goal of one day becoming a Community Development Officer in the NGO sector. Inspired by her experiences as a woman with albinism, she was determined to fight for equality and help give a voice to other marginalised groups.

In March, Elizabeth’s life changed. As the world began to buckle under the impact of COVID-19, the Government of Tanzania took immediate action to halt the spread of the virus. Public gatherings were banned. Schools and universities were closed.

Elizabeth was forced to leave university and return home to her family on Ukerewe Island in Tanzania's Lake Victoria. Here, too, signs of strain were beginning to emerge:

“My family is poor. We cannot afford to buy masks to protect ourselves against the virus. But if we stay at home, we will have no money or food to eat. We depend on a small agricultural business for income, and my father must go to the market to ensure our crops are sold. We can’t control how many people he interacts with. We ask God to intervene in this war and rescue our lives.”

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March 8th, 2022

In conversation with Standing Voice

The Singers

- Neema -

Speaking Out

2021 so far

March 8^th, 2022