Josephat Torner
Josephat Torner is a Tanzanian albino activist. He has been featured in the documentary "In the Shadow of the Sun".
Activism
Torner was born in Ngwangwege, near Lake Victoria.[1] When he was twelve his mother died. Torner then came into contact with a pentecostecal church and followed his secondary education. Torner subsequently moved to Sweden and studied management for three years.[1]
Since 2004 Torner has been an activist for albino rights.[2][3] Torner travels around Tanzania and the world to educate on knowledge of albinism and on persecution of people with albinism.[2] Torner works for the Ukerewe Albino Association on Ukerewe Island.[4]
Torner worked together with director Harry Freeland on the documentary "In the Shadow of the Sun." The couple worked together on the project for six years. In the documentary Torner amongst other things confronts a local witchdocter, who are frequently involved in persecution of albinos.[2] He climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to attract attention for his cause. He reached the top on 8 August 2011.[5] Torner said he climbed the mountain to show African countries: "that we are able. But [also] protect us, give us a chance, don't stigmatize, don't isolate, don't hide us to the darkness room -- just open the way".[2] Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada subsequently called him an international hero and compared him with Terry Fox.[6] Torner has plans to climb Mount Everest in 2016.[1]
In 2012 Torner survived an attack.[7] He has criticized the Tanzanian government for not doing enough to educate others on misconceptions and superstitions regarding albinism.[8]
Personal life
Torner is married and has two children.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Emile Costard (17 March 2015). "Le combat de Josephat Torner pour la protection des albinos en Tanzanie" (in French). Le Monde. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c d e Teo Kermeliotis and Earl Nurse (9 June 2014). "'We are killed, we are hunted': Albino activist fights witchcraft murders". CNN. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- ^ "Albino Activism in Tanzania: VICE News Meets Josephat Torner". Vice News. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- ^ Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya (20 January 2014). "Josephat Torner; 'Albino,' Able and Proud!". Konnect Africa. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- ^ "Fida's disability activist climbed Kilimanjaro". Fida. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- ^ "Josephat Torner: A person with albinism - a Tanzanian Hero". Green Party of Canada. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- ^ Flora Drury (26 January 2015). "Hunted down like animals and sold by their own families for £50,000: Tanzania's albinos hacked apart by witchdoctors who believe their body parts 'bring luck' in sick trade 'fuelled by the country's elite'". Daily Mail. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- ^ Dan Gilgoff (10 October 2013). "As Tanzania's Albino Killings Continue, Unanswered Questions Raise Fears". National Geographic. Retrieved 16 July 2015.