1973
President’s Medal
Awarded by the President of India for standing first among women in the M.B.B.S. examination at her university in Aurangabad.
Who we are
Our objective is to restore the dignity of people with albinism, especially children, through eye care and education.
The Dr. Choksey Albinism Foundation is a charitable trust established and registered in Kenya. It was founded by Dr. Prabha Choksey, an ophthalmologist, to reach out to and assist people with albinism, especially children, in Africa.
The purpose of our “Help Ever, Hurt Never” Initiative is to bring together people of goodwill who want to join hands with us to improve the quality of life of people with albinism, from the first eye examination to the last year of school.
Albinism is a global condition and, in the words of the United Nations, one met with “multiple and intersecting discrimination on the grounds of both disability and colour.” The children we serve live in Kenya; the myths, the sun, and the staring are the same the world over. This site is our window for friends, clinicians, schools and supporters beyond our borders — wherever you are reading from, there is a way to stand with them.
Meet our founder
Dr. Prabha Choksey has served the people of Kenya as an ophthalmologist since 1987.
Read her story
Our journey
Five decades of milestones, from a medal in Aurangabad to a global albinism forum.
See the timeline
What we do
Eye care, school sponsorships, mentorship, workshops, and advocacy across Kenya.
Explore our work
Understanding albinism
Clear answers about the condition, the eyes, and what children need at school.
Read the facts
What guides us
- Mission
- A life of dignity and honor for every person with albinism.
- Vision
- A society in which persons with albinism are fully integrated, appreciated, and empowered to realize their full potential.
- Motto
- Help Ever, Hurt Never.
- Belief
- Service to humanity is service to God.
“What the mind does not know, the eye does not see.”Dr. Prabha Choksey, Founder
Our founder
Dr. Prabha Choksey
Dr. Prabha Choksey is the founder of the Dr. Choksey Albinism Foundation and an award-winning ophthalmologist with over 40 years of expertise. Kenya’s pioneer ophthalmologist of Asian descent, she has served the people of Kenya since 1987.
The children she cares for call her “mama.” A President’s Medallist in India and later Chairman of Surgery at the Aga Khan Hospital, she is a founding member of Women Ophthalmologists Worldwide and has examined more than 1,000 people with albinism free of charge.
“My dream is to make eye care accessible and affordable to all Kenyans and others in Africa.”
Our journey
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
1973
First in the order of merit
Dr. Choksey stands first in the order of merit in her MBBS examination at Aurangabad, and the President of India awards her the President’s Medal for being the woman standing first in her university.
1977
A surgeon of the eye
She passes her D.O.M.S. in 1976 and her MS in Ophthalmology in 1977 at Government Medical College, Aurangabad, and begins teaching the same year.
1980
Professor in Mumbai
She joins the Grant Medical College and J.J. Group of Hospitals in Mumbai as an Assistant Professor, rising to Professor and Head of the department of ophthalmology.
1987
Kenya
Dr. Choksey comes to Kenya, joining Kenyatta National Hospital as an Eye Specialist in 1988 and the University of Nairobi as a lecturer in Surgery from 1989, teaching many of the ophthalmologists practicing today.
1992
New ground at the Aga Khan
A consultant at the Aga Khan Hospital since 1990, she is instrumental in starting fluorescein angiography and laser treatment there.
1997
Women lead in East Africa
For the first time, three women are elected office bearers of the Ophthalmological Society of East Africa. Dr. Choksey serves as Treasurer and the first woman Editor-in-Chief of its journal.
1998
The night of the bombing
When the American embassy in Nairobi is bombed on August 7, she single-handedly manages every patient with ophthalmic injuries rushed to the Aga Khan Hospital — operating on more than 35 people in three days, 16 of them needing major eye surgery.
1999
Chairman of Surgery
She is appointed Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi — a rare thing for a woman in Africa in those days. From 2002 she is in full-time private practice.
2007
Year of recognition
The Ophthalmological Society of East Africa presents its Award of Excellence for Outstanding Contribution to Eye Care in East Africa at Moshi, Tanzania. The same year she realizes the real challenge of albinism is the eyes, and begins providing free eye care and photochromatic glasses.
2012
Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear
On Jamhuri Day, President Mwai Kibaki presents her with the M.B.S. in recognition of her service in ophthalmology and her work for children with albinism. The same year brings the Bharat Jyoti and Gem of India awards.
2015
Education partnership
NCBA Bank’s educational support for children with albinism begins, a partnership that by 2026 helps keep 124 learners in school.
2016
Sharing the mission
Dr. Choksey is featured on NTV’s “The Power of a Woman,” and beneficiary Grace Nzomo speaks on national television about coping with albinism.
2017
A standing ovation
Awarded Under the Same Sun’s 2016–2017 Bari Bari Prize for outstanding albinism advocacy worldwide, named for the UN ambassador who fought for the rights of people with albinism. The same year, Goldalyn Kakuya Tanga tops Kenya’s KCPE.
2023
A new home online
The Ophthalmological Society of Kenya gives her its Lifetime Achievement Award at Mombasa, the foundation launches its website, and her paper on albinism is judged best at the Women Ophthalmologists Society conference in Varanasi.
2024
Power Woman
Dr. Choksey receives the Power Woman Award from The Asian Weekly and judges IAPB’s global “Glasses of the Future” competition. At the Luminary Awards the foundation is named best organization advocating for the rights of persons with albinism in Kenya.
2025
A global voice
She presents “Children Living with Albinism in Africa: A Kenyan Perspective” at the International Scientific Conference on Albinism, and in December the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons names her Pioneer Female Ophthalmologist — Kenya.
“Dr. Choksey, our mother of people with albinism, has really made our life better: sunglasses, sunscreen lotions, and school fees for those who cannot afford them. Every Tuesday she spends her time attending to people with albinism.”Samson, among the foundation’s first beneficiaries
Honors
Recognition for a life spent restoring sight and dignity, from Aurangabad to Nairobi — 22 awards in all.
2007
OSEA Award of Excellence
Ophthalmological Society of East Africa, for outstanding contribution to eye care in East Africa. Moshi, Tanzania, August 2007.
2012
Bharat Jyoti Award
India International Friendship Society, with a Certificate of Excellence for meritorious service. New Delhi, March 27, 2012.
2012
Gem of India
India International Friendship Society, for individual excellence and contribution to the progress of the nation. Bangkok, June 20, 2012.
2012
Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear
Presented by H.E. President Mwai Kibaki for distinguished service in ophthalmology and her commitment to children with albinism. December 12, 2012.
2014
Sindhi Welfare Society Award
For her work uplifting the downtrodden in Kenyan society. January 14, 2014.
2016
Bari Bari Prize
Under the Same Sun’s 2016–2017 prize for outstanding albinism advocacy worldwide, named for UN Ambassador Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari Bari.
2017
Award of Excellence
Kenya Women and Children Wellness Centre, given on International Women’s Day for service to people living with albinism. March 8, 2017.
2018
Jacob’s Well Award
For a woman who has helped uplift others and enabled them to make a difference. Nairobi, March 17, 2018.
2018
Kenbharti Women’s Achievers Award
For outstanding contribution toward society and service above self. August 11, 2018.
2018
The Golden Heart Award
Shree Navnat Vanik Mahajan, for meritorious service to the less privileged. September 1, 2018.
2020
Ophthalmology Practice of the Year
GHP Global Health and Pharma, together with Best Albino Support Specialist — East Africa. June 2020.
2020
DIAR Eminent Leaders Award
National Diversity and Inclusion Awards, Diama Trust. Presented March 12, 2021.
2022
Felicitation as Executive Committee Member
Women Ophthalmologists Worldwide, at the global conclave with the Women Ophthalmology Society of India. Noida, November 2022.
2023
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ophthalmological Society of Kenya. Mombasa, August 24, 2023.
2023
Outstanding Contribution to Ophthalmology
Women Ophthalmologists Society of India, with the award for best paper presented at the conference. Varanasi, December 16, 2023.
2023
Change Maker Award
Kanthari, a flagship program of Braille Without Borders, for outstanding contribution to the cause of albinism in Africa. Kerala, December 2023.
2024
Power Woman Award
The Asian Weekly Achievers Awards, for contribution to society by an Asian woman in Kenya. March 9, 2024.
2024
Sindhu Ratna Award
Sindhi Welfare Society of Kenya, during Cheti Chand celebrations. Nairobi, April 14, 2024.
2024
Outstanding Contribution to the Albinism Community
Film Festival and Luminary Awards, where the foundation was also named best organization advocating for the rights of persons with albinism in Kenya. June 14, 2024.
2024
Messenger of Hope & Voice of Change
IChangeNations’ Susan Maxine Gibson Regional Messenger of Hope Award and the Reuben M. West Voice of Change Medal. July 18, 2024.
2025
Pioneer Female Ophthalmologist — Kenya
Kenya Association of Women Surgeons. December 11, 2025.
Brand ambassador
Meet Syna Shah
Syna Shah, a child with albinism, is the brand ambassador of the Dr. Choksey Albinism Foundation. Her first original song, “Hum Hain Friends Forever” (We Are Friends Forever), celebrates her friendship with a child with a disability, a joyful reminder that true friendship sees beyond difference.
Support the initiativeFoundation facts
See our journeyDecades of eye care and education for people with albinism in Kenya, and 1,000+ people examined free of charge.
1987The year Dr. Choksey’s journey as an ophthalmologist in Kenya began
40+Years of ophthalmology expertise leading the foundation
124Learners with albinism whose school fees we are paying in 2026
455/500Goldalyn Kakuya Tanga’s top national KCPE score in 2017
Goldalyn, a beneficiary of the foundation since 2015, topped the 2017 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education ahead of 993,718 candidates, proving that disability is never inability.
Understanding albinism
Ophthalmologists play a major role in the lives of persons with albinism, starting with replacing myths with medical facts.
Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that reduces the pigment melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes. It is autosomal recessive: a child inherits the gene from both parents, who usually have normal pigment themselves but carry the gene in their DNA.
The real disability in albinism is related to the involvement of the eyes, not the skin or hair. Dr. Choksey came to this realization in 2007 and began providing free ophthalmic services and free prescription photochromatic glasses, a crucial need for all people with albinism.
Yes. With prescription photochromatic glasses and a little assistance, such as large-type text and high-contrast written material, children with albinism can study in regular schools in print. Many of our beneficiaries are top achievers.
It is the involvement of the eyes that distinguishes a child with albinism. Early, accurate diagnosis helps protect the child and prevents families from breaking up because of myths and misunderstanding.
No. Albinism occurs worldwide, in every country and among people of every ethnic group. It is simply far more common in some places than others. The United Nations puts prevalence at roughly 1 in 17,000 to 20,000 people across Europe and North America, but at 1 in 1,400 in Tanzania, and as high as 1 in 1,000 in some communities in southern Africa. What changes from country to country is not the condition, but the sun, the myths, and whether a child can reach an eye clinic.
June 13 is International Albinism Awareness Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly after the Human Rights Council called for an end to attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism. Each year carries a theme — in 2026 it is “Proudly in my skin: celebrating all skin tones.” We mark the day in Kenya alongside communities on every continent.
Skin with albinism is extremely sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, and prolonged direct exposure can lead to skin cancer, usually on the head and neck. Sunscreen, protective clothing, and early diagnosis and treatment save lives.
Many people with albinism experience photophobia, a painful sensitivity to light caused by the lack of melanin in the eyes. Photochromatic lenses darken in bright light, protecting the eyes while correcting vision.
