Page 27 - aruba-today-20190608

a27
feature Saturday 8 June 2019

Albinism pageant in HEALTH

Zimbabwe joyfully breaks DOCTOR ON DUTY

down prejudice Oranjestad
Hospital 7:00 pm / 10:00pm
Tel. 527 4000
By FARAI MUTSAKA life is still tough.
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — The Mr. and Miss Albinism San Nicolas
Ayanda Sibanda, a model Zimbabwe competition, IMSAN 24 Hours
with albinism, has invari- now in its second year, is a Tel.524 8833
ably been called "yellow" chance to push back. Women in Difficulties
or "white" by friends and "I want it to be normal for PHARMACY ON DUTY
even some relatives. But an albino girl to achieve Oranjestad:
she hardly recalls anyone without it being a newspa- Ayanda Sibanda, centre, smiles, after being crowned Miss Albi- Kibrahacha Tel. 583 4508
referring to her by her ac- per headline," Ayanda told nism Zimbabwe 2019 at an albino pageant held in Harare, early San Nicolas:
San Lucas Tel. 584 5119
tual race. The Associated Press. "They Saturday, May 25, 2019. Women in Difficulties
"I am black, that's what I never say a black girl won Associated Press OTHER
thought, but then I am al- Miss Zimbabwe. But if I were Dental Clinic 587 9850
ways made to feel other- to win it, they would all say binism is not my peculiarity. Blood Bank Aruba 587 0002
wise," said the 18-year old an albino girl won." My fitness is," Mambinge Urgent Care 586 0448
who was crowned Miss Al- Friday night's crown was said.q Walk-In Doctor’s Clinic
binism Zimbabwe on Friday her second in just weeks. +297 588 0539
Women in Difficulties
night. Last month she was EMERGENCY
At the pageant, competi- crowned second princess
tors and organizers spoke of Miss Teen Zimbabwe. "It Police 100
frankly about color and was open to every race," Oranjestad 527 3140
527 3200
Noord
prejudice. she said. But she said she Sta. Cruz 527 2900
About 70,000 of Zimba- has been told she lost some San Nicolas 584 5000
bwe's estimated 16 million other pageants only be- Police Tipline 11141
people are born with albi- cause of her albinism. Ambulancia 911
nism, according to govern- She and others, including Fire Dept. 115
ment figures. They often university students and a Red Cross 582 2219
stand out, making them a nurse, strutted down the TAXI SERVICES
subject at times of discrimi- tiny runway Friday night Taxi Tas 587 5900
nation, ridicule and dan- to Ed Sheeran's hit song Prof. Taxi 588 0035
gerously misguided beliefs. "Perfect," posed for judges Taxi D.T.S. 587 2300
"Some have superstitions and answered questions to Taxi Serv. Aruba 583 3232
that we can bring luck cheers from the crowd. A1 Taxi Serv. 280 2828
or cure HIV," said Brenda The loudest cheers were for Women in Difficulties
Mudzimu, organizer of the the male models, compet- TRAVEL INFO
pageant, one of a growing ing for the first time.
number of such events in "My God, he is such a hunk," Aruba Airport 524 2424
American Airlines 582 2700
Africa . shouted one woman in the Avianca 588 0059
In nearby Malawi and Tan- crowd. "This is what I call a Jet Blue 588 2244
zania, albinos are some- real man," yelled another Surinam 582 7896
times killed for their body as the eventual winner of
parts for use in witchcraft. Mr. Albinism, Edson Mamb- Women in Difficulties
No such killings have been inge, a 21-year-old fitness CRUISES
recorded in Zimbabwe. But trainer, strolled by.
people with albinism say "When I am modelling, al-

June 12
Monarch
June 18
Freedom of the Seas
Women in Difficulties
AID FOUNDATIONS

FAVI- Visually Impaired
Tel. 582 5051
Alcoholics Anonymous
Tel. 736 2952
Narcotics Anonymous
Tel. 583 8989
Women in Difficulties
Tel. 583 5400
Centre for Diabetes
Tel. 524 8888
Child Abuse Prevention
Tel. 582 4433
Quota Club Tel. 525 2672
Women in Difficulties
General Info
Phone Directory Tel. 118