Hunted down by witchdoctors and sold by their own families: The albinos of ... trends now
People with albinism have lived in fear for decades in Tanzania - not only facing discrimination for the way they look but also becoming the targets of ruthless traffickers who aim to make money from their bodies.
Witch doctors have been known to seek their organs and body parts to make 'lucky' potions and charms, with criminal networks being set up that include kidnappers, traffickers and killers to satisfy this macabre demand.
Those with the genetic condition are ostracised by their communities but also their own families, who may be tempted to betray them to body part sellers for vast sums of money.
Aware of the terror faced by the albino population, Tanzania's government has set up centres to protect them in recent years, which are nothing short of sanctuaries for this imperiled group.
Photographer Ana Palacios visited the Kabanga refuge, near Lake Tanganyika, a community of women and children living with albinism, whose joy and resilience despite the constant threats they face shines through in these stunning pictures.
The Tanzanian government has found it necessary to set up special centres to protect people with albinism who have had to flee their villages
Eleven-year old Kelen loves dancing in the half-built bedrooms at Kabanga, away from the sun
The shortage of water at Kabanga is particularly alarming. When rainwater supplies run out they have to go to the hospital well to fetch water
Zawia, wearing green clogs, and her friends finish school at five in the afternoon and go straight back to Kabanga
Zawia Kasim, twelve-years-old, has learned the lesson and keeps herself well covered but the children find it difficult to play with their hats on and to keep their skin covered all the time and they tend to be careless. Zawia speaks Swahili, English and sign language. She wants to be a teacher
The striking images, shot in 2017, show how those living in the centre are able to enjoy a life almost free from the constant fear of violence they faced in their
