As a child, it was a common event for people to yell out “ghost” in the street when they saw now 20-year-old Adelaide-based woman Aline, who has Albinism.

Growing up in east Africa, Aline recalls much of her early years being covered up if ever in public, living in fear of being shot, stolen or sold – because of her condition.

“I was never allowed to go outside, to play with the other kids – it was not the life I wanted,” she said.

This persecution is the reality of people with Albinism in parts of Africa, where in some communities there is a dangerous belief that their body parts have potential magical or superstitious powers.

After moving to South Australia in her early teens, Aline and her family started a new life, which brought greater freedom but came with its own set of challenges.

Following her school formal, Aline was just like many other girls her age – full of hopes and dreams for the future – when she discovered she was pregnant at age 17 and shortly after became a single mother.

“Most of us did not choose to be parents at a young age – we wanted to go to university, travel overseas or find a job like other young people,” she said.

This was when the state government’s Department of Human Services (DHS) Strong Start program engaged with Aline, to support her through her pregnancy and her journey with parenthood. 

The program works with first time mothers aged under 25 to help make a successful transition to parenting and ensure their children have the best possible start to life.

It includes parenting education, monitoring children’s development and growth, addressing financial or housing issues and linking parents to social supports.

Aline (pictured right with her son and Strong Start CaHFS nurse Maya) describes her first experience with the program as comforting, as she realised that she wasn’t alone in her parenting experience.

“Joining the Strong Start program was the best decision for me – it's made my whole transition to parenthood so much easier,” Aline said.

“As soon as I walked through the doors of the playgroup, I felt calm, safe and there was no judgement.

“The program helped me learn new skills and become more confident as a mum, but also helped my son come out of his shell and learn from others his own age.”

Young mothers often find it hard to engage with their community – they don’t feel like they fit in with older mums and can have social anxiety. Strong Start helps new parents find their sense of self and develop a range of useful skills that help both them and their child.

DHS Executive Director Child Safety and Family Support Katherine Hawkins said parenting can be hard at the best of times, but for some families – it's even harder.

“Supporting parents in their roles is just as important as supporting the children themselves, especially if we can start working with mothers earlier in their first pregnancy,” she said.

“Aline’s story is a great example of how being open to supports and services can be a very positive experience for everyone involved.”

Fast forward to now, Aline is on a quest to reduce the stigma surrounding young parents and people with Albinism by writing a book about her experiences, which she hopes to release in the next couple of years.

“I have not seen other people here in Australia with Albinism, but I’m here to show everyone that it’s a different type of beauty and it’s amazing,” she said.

“There is also a lot of judgement in the community when you’re a young parent, so I encourage people not to judge a book by its cover.

“Coming from a very traumatic background, it’s been very therapeutic for me to put my story to paper and help me heal too.”

While her primary focus is setting her son up with the foundations he needs for a good life, Aline also hopes to get into modelling and motivational speaking in the future.

“My life didn’t start like others’ did – I started with a dirt spoon. Right now, I’m about halfway to where I want to be and it’s not easy, but I keep going for my child.”

Strong Start Clinician Catherine said it was "incredibly important to support mothers like Aline early in their parenthood journey".

"DHS has had some great success working with very young parents and the statistics show that’s where a difference is made," she said.

"I am most proud of Aline for being brave, finding freedom in her life and using her voice."

The DHS Strong Start program is part of SA’s Child and Family Support System, which helps parents keep their children safe and well, with family, community and culture.

If you’re worried about a family or young person, visit adultssupportingkids.com.au.