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Summary
15-year-old Zambian student Mwape Chimpampa developed an affordable organic sunscreen for people with albinism after losing her father to skin cancer. She aims to protect others and raise awareness about the need for accessible sun care.
In the heart of Zambia, a 15-year-old student is transforming grief into groundbreaking innovation. Mwape Chimpampa, a Grade 11 student at Naboye Secondary School in Kafue, has developed an organic sunscreen aimed at protecting people with albinism, an often-overlooked group vulnerable to sun-related health risks..
Albinism is a rare, non-contagious genetic condition that occurs worldwide, affecting people regardless of ethnicity or gender. The condition is marked by a lack of melanin pigment in the hair, skin, and eyes, making people with albinism more vulnerable to sun damage, skin cancer, and visual impairments.
Mwape’s inspiration is deeply personal. In 2017, she lost her father, who had albinism, to skin cancer, an outcome she attributes to the lack of access to effective sun protection.
“My father couldn’t afford sunscreen. That’s something that stayed with me,” Mwape shared. She and her younger sister, who both have albinism, have carried that memory as fuel for change.
Determined to prevent others from facing the same fate, Mwape created The Organic Sunscreen, a locally formulated product made from fruits, vegetables, spices, and aloe vera. Designed specifically for high-UV environments like Zambia, the sunscreen boasts an SPF of 22, exceeding the minimum recommended level for people with albinism. Most importantly, it’s both organic and affordable.
Her innovation was first showcased at the 2024 National Junior Engineers, Technicians, and Scientists (JETS) Fair, where it quickly caught national attention. The product earned Mwape a finalist spot and the support of the Zambia Research and Development Centre (ZRDC), which is now incubating the project for scientific validation and scale-up.
For Mwape, this is more than a school science project; it’s a mission. Her work is now part of a broader movement to recognise sunscreen as a medical necessity, not a luxury.
As Mwape’s product moves through clinical testing, hopes are high that it will soon be distributed via clinics and health centres across Zambia. The long-term vision also includes community training to produce the sunscreen locally, creating jobs and reducing reliance on expensive imported products.
