Vicky Ntetema facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vicky Ntetema
Born	c. 1958 Tanganyika Territory (now Tanzania)
Occupation	Journalist
Employer	BBC, UTSS
Known for	Reporting human rights abuses; human rights activism

Vicky Ntetema (born around 1958) is a brave journalist from Tanzania. She became famous for telling the world about the terrible things happening to people with albinism in her country. Later, she became the leader of an organization called Under the Same Sun (UTSS) in Tanzania. This group works to protect the rights of people with albinism.

Vicky Ntetema's Life and Career

Vicky Ntetema was born in Tanzania in 1958. She was very smart and received a special scholarship from her government. This allowed her to study in the Soviet Union, where she earned her Master's degree in Journalism in 1985. She also studied in the UK, getting another Master's degree in Information Systems Development in 1998.

In 1991, Vicky joined the BBC, a big news organization, in London. She worked as a journalist, presenting and producing radio shows in Swahili. By 2006, she became a senior journalist and the main reporter for the BBC World Service in Tanzania. She became widely known in 2008 when she bravely reported on the dangers faced by people with albinism in Tanzania. Vicky later left the BBC to work full-time for Under the Same Sun. This Canadian charity helps protect the human rights of people with albinism. She worked there until she retired in May 2018.

Reporting on Challenges Faced by People with Albinism

Vicky Ntetema did a secret investigation to uncover a serious problem. She found that some people in Tanzania had dangerous beliefs about people with albinism. They thought that certain body parts of people with albinism could be used in harmful practices by some traditional healers. These reports were very important because they made people around the world pay attention to this issue.

Because of her brave reporting, Vicky faced threats to her safety. She had to hide and needed protection all the time. She even had to leave Tanzania twice to stay safe.

Awards for Her Courageous Work

Vicky Ntetema has received several important awards for her courage and dedication. In 2010, the International Women's Media Foundation gave her the Courage in Journalism Award. This award recognized her brave reporting. In 2016, the US Secretary of State John Kerry honored her with the International Women of Courage Award.

Awards and Recognition

• Courage in Journalism Award in 2010
• Tanzania Women of Achievement Award in the category "Information and Communication" in 2013
• International Women of Courage Award in 2016