Ackson’s Story

Orphaned Ackson, 12, lives with his maternal aunt and one cousin in a mud hut with a straw-thatched roof in Malawi.

As an albino, Ackson must take extra care as he goes about his daily routine. In Malawi and across Africa, harmful perceptions of his condition make him vulnerable to discrimination and attack. 

After waking before sunrise each day, Ackson walks with his aunt to complete two hours’ work in the field, preparing ridges for planting. Then, he collects water for bathing and makes the one-hour walk to his school – all before taking a bite of food. 

Once he reaches the classroom, he can enjoy a nutritious mugful of porridge from Mary’s Meals, which eases his stomach pains and allows him to concentrate on his studies.

He explains: “When I reach school and eat the Mary’s Meals porridge, I feel very full. It helps me by giving me energy to get me through the rest of the day. I enjoy playing ball with my friends and also playing hide and seek, although this worries my aunt a lot!”

It is difficult for Ackson to understand the risk to his life if he walks alone outside his home or even plays with his friends without supervision.

After school, he has to rest indoors as sunlight severely affects his sensitive skin, and can create painful blisters. When the sun sets, the youngster walks with his cousin to collect more water for cooking the evening meal – if food is available.

At the moment, a meal a day for the family is only guaranteed if Alony, Ackson’s 63-year-old aunt, is able to find piecework at least twice a week.

This is difficult and one job means Alony works in the employer’s field for three days, weeding, ploughing and creating ridges for the upcoming planting season. On completing the job, Alony is paid between 1,000–1,300 kwacha, which buys one basin of maize – enough to provide the family with one meal for up to three days. 

“The porridge is very helpful when there is no food at home. Sometimes, going hunting for piecework is difficult as the work is becoming very scarce,” Alony says.

Ackson’s head teacher Francis, sees the difficulties this family and many others face, including the trials of lone or elderly guardians struggling to work and provide with limited food themselves.

He says: “They stay without food and the aunt is really not doing very fine. He is coming to school and receiving Mary’s Meals and this is the only thing at the moment making his life in a better situation. 

“We are very thankful to Mary’s Meals, if it weren’t for Mary’s Meals our education system would be doomed. When the children come here at least they have a good chance to survive.”