Being albino in South Africa can be difficult. For years now, there have been various forms of persecution people with albinism face that can sometimes lead to death. Most of the treatment toward people with albinism comes from the belief that their body parts are special.

This is where doll maker Mala Bryan comes in. Bryan's company Malaville Toys commemorated Albino Awareness Month in South Africa by creating a new doll that will help educate the public about albinism in the nation.

The new doll Alexa has a blonde TWA (teeny weeny afro), true to the hair color of people with albinism. And she is just one of many other dolls ranging from brown to dark brown skin. 

Open discussion ! One of the things I love about my doll making process is creating stories and building the characters for each doll. Alexa has been the one to teach me the most, and in doing my research on her a few things came about and this is what I would love for us to discuss here today. I am hoping that some of us will learn a few things from it. ❓Is it offensive to use the term "albino?" ❓ Growing up we "Albinism" was not a word that I knew at all and I'm sure I can speak for lots of people when I say I never know the word "albino" to be offensive. I have since then started using the term "person with albinism or doll with albinism" and many times people have no idea what I'm talking about. I can say I am so happy that Alexa is here to teach me and many others new things and to open up our eyes to a whole new world. Doing research on people with albinism was very eye opening but also at times very sad and painful and I am looking forward to sharing some of this with you over the next few months. #albinismawareness

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“There is so much that is going on in the world when it comes to people with albinism and it is now time for those who don’t know to get to know,” Bryan said in an interview with Huffington Post.

Since 2015, the toy maker has been inspiring young girls with her black girl magic dolls that are the epitome of the adage representation matters.