A Philadelphia Hospital is providing care for five children with albinism who were the victims of brutal attacks in Africa.
The kids, ranging in age from 5 to 18, are all from Tanzania and victims of witch doctors and their followers who practice “Muti,” traditional medicine in Southern Africa. In Tanzania and other countries, the body parts of people with albinism are often forcibly removed due to the belief that the intensity of the victims’ screams while their limbs are being chopped off enhances the potency of medicine. The victims’ body parts are then often sold to witch doctors for use in charms and magical potions that followers of Muti believe bring wealth and good luck. Not all victims survive the attacks.
Elissa Montanti, founder of the Global Medical Relief Fund, decided to help five of the victims, who social workers say were attacked by their own parents.
“To have such human suffering caused by humans is just unfathomable,” Montanti said.
The children are staying in a GMRF home in Staten Island, New York. The charity and private donors are covering all travel and housing expenses. The children are receiving treatment at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia which is providing medical care at no cost.
Doctors at Shriners will try to surgically repair their wounds or fit them with prosthetic limbs.
“To somebody who has nothing a little is a lot,” said Dr. Dan Zlotolow. “So there’s a tremendous satisfaction for us.”
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Montanti told NBC10 the children will come back to the United States for more treatment if needed at least until they turn 21.
“If we have the resources to help these children then there’s no reason on earth that we shouldn’t,” Montanti said.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Global Medical Relief Fund.
