Zuraidah Hoffman

Asante Mariamu is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to ending the slaughter of people with albinism in East Africa. Founded in 2010 by Susan Dubois of Arlington, Virginia, the organization is named after Mariamu Stanford, who survived an attack in 2008 by two men who severed her arms to sell to witch doctors. Mariamu traveled to the United States in late 2009 to receive medical treatment and continues to be a symbol of strength and hope for people with albinism in Tanzania an East Africa.

Asante means “thank you” in Swahili.

I was asked to serve on the board of directors and create the communications engine for the organization.

By January 2010, many things were happening simultaneously. ABC’s 20/20 program plans to air the program on Mariamu in the Spring of 2010, a December 2009 meeting with Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA) resulted in a flurry of activity to introduce a House Resolution to condemn the atrocities in East Africa, and Susan was eager to move quickly to raise awareness on the issue. I started by designing the website and also wrote and edited the content. I created and continue to manage Asante Mariamu’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. I wrote and distributed a press release announcing the formation of the organization as well as Congressman Connolly’s speech in January 2010 to the House Floor condemning the treatment of people with albinism in East Africa. I manage press inquiries and continue to seek opportunities via all channels to get positive exposure for the organization.

All this, within 30 days of the organization’s launching. What’s next? Develop and implement a formal communications plan to capture Susan’s passion for the cause and her endless energy to mobilize grassroots efforts. Onward! To find out how you can help, please visit www.asante-mariamu.org