Project Mosquito Nets

Happy Father's Day! This Father's day give a gift of health to a dad in Zambia. Your donation will go a long way in keeping children malaria free, healthy and in school. A donation of $10 will provide education on prevention of malaria and two bed nets (that can sleep two adults and four young children) to a family in Zambia.

Project Mosquito Nets provides education on prevention of malaria and long lasting insecticide treated nets to children and families vulnerable to malaria in Zambia. Segments of the population that are particularly vulnerable to malaria and for whom malaria could be fatal include: children under five years, older people, pregnant women, people living with HIV, and people who have TB. Children and adults who have HIV/AIDS are more likely to experience severe malaria requiring hospitalization and the risk of death. An added complication is that co-infection rates between HIV, malaria, and TB are high. 

Impact of Usage of Malaria Bed Nets on Children's' Health

Over the last three years, we were able to provide 3800 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on prevention of malaria to children and families vulnerable to malaria in Zambia. The nets were used by an estimated 4000 children (as each net can sleep up to four young children) and 2500 adults (as each net can sleep two adults). For a short video on the distribution day activities click here. To learn more about our malaria prevention program in Zambia click here. 

Usage of the mosquito bed nets has led to a marked improvement in the health of all beneficiaries but the impact on the health of young children has been much greater. This is because malaria can have severe health consequences on the health of younger children whose bodies have yet to develop the strength to fight the disease. In addition, malaria can be fatal for a child who is malnourished and HIV positive. Also, the use of bed nets has prevented pregnant women from contracting malaria in our community. This is very encouraging as malaria can be fatal for HIV positive pregnant women. Finally, people living with HIV are three times as likely to suffer from malaria, as compared to a person who is HIV negative

Need For Nets: The need for several thousand more nets is ongoing for the following reasons: (i) in low income areas in Zambia, there are several water logged areas/sewers which are breeding grounds of mosquitoes, (ii) due to an unemployment rate upwards of 67%, the residents of the community are not able to afford a net, and (iii) a high rate of HIV incidence increases their vulnerability to malaria.

Request for Funds: At this time we are raising funds to provide 2000 long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLIN’s) in fall 2013. Please donate generously as your donation will go a long way in preventing malaria and keeping the children healthy and in school.   

The recipients of nets hope that this program continues in 2013 and beyond and would like us to convey their thanks to donors.

Thanks again for your support for this program.

Links:

• Stories of children who are healthy sleeping under a net
• Report on nets distributed in September 2012
• Conversations with beneficiaries of nets in 2012