The challenge
Albinism is a genetic condition in which the body produces little or no melanin. Growing up with this condition in Zambia, John Chiti faced intense bullying and rejection. His father left the family under the mistaken belief that John's mother had been unfaithful, unable to understand why his son had white skin. As the oldest of six children, John carried the heavy emotional burden of blaming himself for his parents' divorce. The hostility was not just emotional; at the age of 15, he survived a physical attack directly driven by discrimination and superstitions surrounding albinism.
What helped
In the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, John found solace and power in music. Music became his escape and his way of communicating his humanity to a world that often dehumanized him. By forming a gospel band with his friends, he discovered a platform where his voice could be heard and his identity as a person—rather than a target—could be established.
In their words