Written by Faith Mwende
In the heart of Zambia, a young innovator is turning personal loss into powerful change.
Mwape Chimpampa, a 15-year-old student from Naboye Secondary School in Kafue, has developed an organic sunscreen aimed at protecting people with albinism an often-overlooked group at high risk of skin cancer.
Mwape’s motivation is deeply personal. In 2017, her father, who had albinism, passed away from skin cancer a death she attributes to a lack of access to proper sun protection.
“My father couldn’t afford sunscreen. That’s something that stayed with me,” she shared in a recent interview. Mwape, who also has albinism, along with her younger sister, decided she wanted to change that reality for others.
Her solution? A locally made sunscreen formulated from natural ingredients including fruits, vegetables, spices, and Aloe vera.
The product is affordable, organic, and specifically designed for high UV environments like Zambia. With an SPF of 22, it exceeds the basic protective threshold recommended for people with albinism.
Mwape’s project was first showcased at the 2024 National Junior Engineers, Technicians, and Scientists (JETS) Fair, where it stood out among dozens of entries.
Her innovation earned her a spot among the top finalists and drew the attention of the Zambia Research and Development Centre (ZRDC), which has since stepped in to support her work.
The Centre is helping with scientific validation, design improvements, and preparing the product for larger-scale distribution.
But the sunscreen is more than just a science project, it’s part of a growing movement calling for better protection for people with albinism.
Advocates and human rights groups have long pushed for sunscreen to be recognized as an essential medical product, not just a cosmetic.
This is especially urgent in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where strong sunlight and limited access to protective skincare leave people with albinism extremely vulnerable.
Muluka-Anne Miti Drummond, the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, has been vocal in calling for the re-inclusion of sunscreen on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines.
“For people with albinism, sunscreen isn’t optional. It can be life-saving,” she said in a recent statement.
Mwape’s innovation not only addresses a medical need, it also showcases the potential of youth driven solutions.
Her initiative is now being incubated for clinical testing and hopes are high that it will soon be distributed through clinics and health centers across Zambia.
Beyond improving lives, the project may also stimulate local economies by reducing dependence on expensive imported products.
The long-term vision includes training communities to produce the sunscreen locally, making it even more accessible and creating new jobs in the process.
Mwape’s story is one of resilience, ingenuity, and hope. Through her work, she is not only honoring her father’s memory, but also lighting the way for a future where every person with albinism regardless of income can step into the sun with confidence.
