My name is Melaine. I recently moved to Burkina Faso from Cote Ivoire. My parents asked my uncle if he could take care of me because they are having a difficult time. I have five brothers and sisters, but I came here alone. I was born in 2004 and from the start my life was different. I have a condition known as albinism. My skin is very fair, my hair is yellow and I have trouble with my eyes. Many people stare at me and think that I am not able to learn just because of my skin. Some people think that my family must have done something very bad and are being punished by having a child like me. In my family, I have not been treated different than my brothers or sisters. My father has been taking care of us by working in a cocoa plantation, but there is not enough now for all of us to go to school and I have missed one year of school now. I miss my family, but I am happy to have the chance to go to school again. I love history and math. When I am at home I help my aunt prepare food and wash dishes.