By Mfanufikile Khathwane (Intern)
MBABANE – The Sunscreen Drive is back on the road, spreading awareness, education, and much-needed skin protection to students living with albinism.
Yesterday, the team visited Mphofu High School and Ekutfunyweni Primary School, reaching five students in total.
Led by Co-Founder and Director Bongiwe Dlamini, alongside member Queen Dzimba, the drive provided each student with three boxes of sunscreen, each box containing 12 bottles, to help protect them from harmful sun exposure.
“Children with albinism face daily challenges, especially when it comes to skin health,” said Dlamini. “Our goal is to give them the protection they need and remind them that they matter.”
The team began Its outreach at the same two schools during an earlier phase of the drive. However, their work was briefly paused to host the historic Mr. and Miss Albinism Eswatini pageant and support the Disability Culture event. With those projects successfully completed, the Sunscreen Drive has now returned to its core mission reaching vulnerable learners across Eswatini.
“Our main focus is on school-going children,” added Dzimba. “They are most exposed to the sun during school hours and often cannot afford sunscreen. We want to change that.”
Though the drive occasionally supports unemployed youth living with albinism, the heart of their work lies in protecting students and giving them the confidence to thrive.
As they look ahead, the Sunscreen Drive team hopes to expand their efforts, reaching more schools and inspiring more conversations about inclusion, awareness, and equal access to health resources.
“This is just the beginning of our return, we are committed to making a difference one school at a time” Dlamini added.
The team encourages support from individuals, businesses, and government stakeholders to help sustain and grow the initiative.
(Courtesy Pics)
