Pendo Noni, 15 years old, and Baraka Lusambo, 5, wait to be fitted for prosthetic limbs at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. The Global Medical Relief Fund, a Staten Island nonprofit, is helping the children get custom prostheses. Baraka lost his right hand when he was attacked at his family’s home in Tanzania, according to the Associated Press. The body parts of albinos are sold on the black market as ingredients for good luck potions.
Matt Rourke/Associated Press…
Emmanuel Rutema, 13, laughs with Elissa Montanti, left, founder and director of the Global Medical Relief Fund, and interpreter Ester Rwela ahead of his surgery at the Shriners Hospital. Ms. Montanti brought five albino children from Tanzania to live at the Global Medical Relief Fund home in Staten Island while they underwent the process of getting fitted for and learning to use prostheses.
Matt Rourke/Associated Press…
Monica Watson, of the Global Medical Relief Fund, holds the hand of Baraka Lusambo during a fitting for a prosthetic limb. He and the four other children will receive free surgery and prostheses at the hospital.
Matt Rourke/Associated Press…
Baraka Lusambo and Monica Watson, during a fitting for a prosthetic limb.
Matt Rourke/Associated Press…
Baraka Lusambo plays with a new soccer ball. Albinism affects about one out of every 15,000 people in Tanzania, according to the U.N.
Julie Jacobson/Associated Press…
From left, Emmanuel Rutema, Kabula Masanja, Pendo Noni, Baraka Lusambo and Mwigulu Magesa walk through Times Square with Monica Watson. Between trips to the hospital, Ms. Montanti has filled the summer with typical American activities.
Julie Jacobson/Associated Press…
With the help of volunteer lifeguards, Mwigulu Magesa, Baraka Lusambo, Emmanuel Rutema and Pendo Noni swim and play in a pool in Oyster Bay, N.Y. It was their first trip to a swimming pool.
Julie Jacobson/Associated Press…
His first time swimming, Mwigulu Magesa floats alone with the aid of a life preserver in the deep end of the pool.
Julie Jacobson/Associated Press…
Monica Watson helps Baraka Lusambo at Long Beach Island, N.J.
Julie Jacobson/Associated Press…
Mwigulu Magesa blows up a beach ball in Long Beach Island, N.J.
Julie Jacobson/Associated Press…
Elissa Montanti gives Mwigulu Magesa a kiss as he celebrates his 12th birthday with the other children from Tanzania. They have been in the U.S. since June, but once they receive their new limbs, they will return home to safe houses in Tanzania run by Under the Same Sun. Ms. Montanti’s fund will bring them back to the U.S. to get new prostheses as they grow.
Julie Jacobson/Associated Press…
