Malaria Prevention Saves Lives

In July 2017 The Butterfly Tree visited Moomba Chiefdom as 46% of the population had malaria. Moomba is a remote area in the Kazungula District of Southern Province of Zambia, somme 300km from our base. No other charity had been there. Shortly after we initiated a malaria prevention programme to reduce the number of cases. Over the next 12 months every dwelling was painted with a safe insecticidal coating, larvicide was placed in stagnant ponds and streams to prevent the larva developing into mosquitos. In addition every household was provided with mosquito nets. 

Results:
1,531 cases in 2017
525 cases in 2018
56 cases to date in 2019

In April last year we targeted two villages and the surrounding areas in Nyawa Chiefdom, using the same methdos as above. The latest reports shows that ZERO cases of malaria were recorded from April 2018 to the end of June 2019.

Three more schools have been given mosquito nets to protect school children from contracting malaria. River View School has reported no absenteeism since the distribtion of mosquito nets in October 2017. Sikauzwe, Kawewa and Mambova Schools have received a donation. A total of 2,800 school children being protected under our 'nets for schools' pilot scheme. 

We have now raised sufficient funds to provide mosquito nets for Kamwi, Chuunga and Ngwezi Schools. These will be given out to pupils at the start of the next term in September.

Globally malaria is on the increase, with half the world's population at risk. Latest World Health Organisation state that an estimated 219 million people have malaria and there were 435,000 deaths. Chidren under five are at most risk, however oftern school children miss out when it comes to offering prtoection. 

Our aim is to reach out to more schools in remote areas where malaria is prevelant.

Links:

• Mosquito nets