Bibiana and Tindi’s Journey

These Sisters Have A Special Bond - An Unbelievable Journey

“Nilinde Na Unipende or Protect Me and Love Me”

My Crying Heart “This is my heart...it’s crying because people are killing albinos...and if they stop that my heart will be plenty happy”

Bibiana and Tindi with Alshaymaa in Tanzania before arriving in the US — Bibiana and Tindi Before Arriving in the US

The peaceful slumber of two young, orphaned, albino sisters abruptly came to a violent end when frenzied axe-wielding intruders burst into their room and viciously hacked off the leg and two fingers of Bibiana, the older of the two girls. Tindi, the younger sister, paralyzed with fear, laid hidden under blankets, a silent yet-profoundly traumatized witness to the terror. The girls' aunt rushed to the girls' room and bursting in on the bloody mayhem, she found Bibiana in a state of shock. The assailants had fled taking the limbs they had severed with them.

Make It

What has transpired subsequently in the lives of Bibiana and Tindi is a testament to courage, perseverance and the best of the human spirit. After the attack, the girls spent months recovering at a local hospital but could not return home because at the time assaults on people with albinism were happening throughout the country. The girls initially went to a boarding school where their story received national attention and ultimately came to the U.S. for asylum. The girls are now safe and are diligently working on their education that will enable them to thrive.

Congratulations Bibiana on receiving an Outstanding Academic Achievement award for maitaining a GPA > 3.5 at Santa Monica College

Bibiana and Tindi Making Progress with Their Studies

Make It

Bibiana’s Journey: The Fitting

Bibiana is now a young woman and is in the US to be fitted for a new prosthetic leg. She is also conducting the physical therapy necessary to get her use to walking with a state-of-the-art articulated prosthesis. Her original prosthetic leg had limited range of motion and reportedly served more like a “crutch.” Concerned citizens and organizations have teamed together to assist Bibiana and her plight including African Millennium Foundation, Orthopedic Institute for Children, and the Hanger Clinic. In addition, Bibiana is working with a physical trainer and has been exposed to athletes and children with prosthetics in order to ensure she has a new outlook in life. It is inconceivable to imagine going through such a horrific experience, yet Bibiana is a survivor striving towards her future..

Make it

Tindi’s Expression with Art

“Nilinde Na Unipende or Protect Me and Love Me” and “My Crying Heart” are two titles of the girls’ paintings that introduces this project to the viewer. Then in Tindi’s own words describing her image she shares “This is my heart...it’s crying because people are killing albinos...and if they stop that my heart will be plenty happy.”

Albinism Awareness: Low Vision Care

I am so fortunate and privileged to meet Dr. Rebecca Kammer a Doctor of Optometry that specializes in Low Vision Care. I met her during Bibiana's and Tindi's annual eye exam. Rebecca is impassioned, knowledgeable, precise, attentive, and very giving with her time and knowledge. She spent a couple of hours with the girls’ exam and sharing a wealth of information about the varying eye conditions associated with Albinism.

Rebecca is so committed to her giving back to the community, she has spent several years going to Tanzania to provide low-vision eye care, coaching and training to people with Albinism. She is the Director of Vision Services for a nonprofit known as Standing Voice whose state purpose is to “promote the social inclusion and well-being of marginalized groups.” This group has several health, education, and advocacy programs for people with albinism in Tanzania in order to enhance and maximize their vision as well as their future.

Make it

Dr. Rebecca Kammer

Making a different with vision care for People with Albinism