Brazil is one of those places on Earth where you can find a non-homogenous melting pot of people. Rich in diversity and culture, the country is a beautiful mixture of heritage.

Though it’s diverse, various forms of racism, classism, and discrimination still exist. Stigmas attached to skin color breed prejudice and mistreatment, even for children.

Rosamere Fernanda de Andrade, a black Brazilian woman, and her ex-husband, Joao, also a black Brazilian, are parents to two children who are dark skinned, and three who have white skin. It’s been a shock to her neighbors, giving them something to gossip about over the years.

When Rosamere gave birth to her first child Ruth, she thought someone handed her the wrong baby as a trick. Ruth has albinism, a rare condition that causes a lack of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. It affects about 1 in 17,000 people.

As Rosamere speaks with Barcroft TV, she says that the confusion returned when her second child, son Joao, was born with brown skin. Estefani, her third child who was also born as an albino, convinced her that all the children were hers. Kauan, the next in line, has albinism too, but the youngest two daughters – Rebecca and Maria – are unaffected by the condition.

It’s been tough growing up as a part of their community, because people believe the three children are cursed. Superstition and myth around albinism is common, and unfortunately for these kids taunting has become a part of their daily lives. But their brother Joao is not having any of that. He’s very protective of his siblings and puts a stop to the teasing if he hears it.

In addition to being vulnerable to harsh treatment from the community, the children have to contend with the medical effects of albinism. They have to apply sunblock with an SPF of 100 multiple times a day and have problems with their vision. Exposure to sunlight can cause terrible, blistery sunburn, and make them prone to skin cancer. As a result, Rosamere only allows them to play outside during late hours.

Rosamere and the kids’ stepfather, Robenilson, are understandably concerned about the children’s future. A recent visit to the dermatologist proved to be very helpful in showing Rosamere how to care for their skin. With albinism, signs of melanoma can show up in the scalp too!

Years ago, Rosamere also learned that she and her ex-husband both carried the gene for albinism, and that they had a one in four chance of having a child with it. That means the chances are high for Ruth, Estefani, or Kauan to grow up and have an albino child of their own, but there’s still a chance her other kids could have albino children too.

Watch this video from Barcroft TV to hear what Ruth and Estefani think about their future, as well as the daily life of this loving family.

What do you think of this remarkable family? Are you familiar with the rare condition of albinism? Tell us in the comments!