Project Mosquito Nets

Happy Mother’s Day from our Zambian Families. This Mother's Day give a gift of health to a family in Zambia. Your ongoing support for our malaria prevention program keeps children malaria free, healthy and in school.

Malaria Prevention Day 2016: We will be providing 2000 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on prevention of malaria to children and families vulnerable to malaria before the start of the next malaria season in 2016.

Impact: As a result of our malaria prevention program, we are seeing a reduced incidence of malaria and improved knowledge of malaria care and prevention in our community. In 2015 only two children out of 2000 beneficiary families contracted malaria, were treated, and are in good health.       

Is Malaria still a Problem? Globally, we lost 438,000 lives to malaria in 2015 even though this disease is easily preventable and curable. Children under five are especially vulnerable to malaria illness, infection and death and more than 800 children under five die of malaria every day. 

Our Solution: Every year before the start of the malaria season, we provide:

• Long lasting insecticide treated nets children and families vulnerable to malaria
• Education on prevention of malaria
• Demonstration on the proper use and maintenance of nets.
• Follow-up conversations to ensure nets are used and maintained properly.

Over the last six years, we have been able to provide 8,800 long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on prevention of malaria to children and families in Zambia. These nets were used by an estimated 35,200 children (as each net can sleep up to four young children) or 17,600 adults (as each net can sleep two adults). 

Why Nets? According to the WHO, sleeping under a mosquito bed net is one of the most effective means of preventing malaria and 90% of families with a bed net use it. Over the last two decades there has been significant progress made in reducing the incidence of malaria; but decreased coverage going forward can lead to a major insurgence of the disease.   

Why Zambia?: In Zambia, the need for nets is high as:

• All areas are high malaria transmission areas. In our community many areas are water logged and a breeding ground for mosquitos.   
• Vulnerability to malaria is high due to high incidence of HIV and TB: Malaria can be fatal for an HIV+ pregnant woman and it significantly compromises the health of children living with HIV.
• Most people in our community of Matero live on less than $2 per day, defined as extreme poverty by the UN, and cannot afford a net.

Thank you for helping us eradicate malaria in Zambia. 

Links:

• About Project Mosquito Nets
• Impact of Project Mosquito Nets
• Malaria prevention and Impact on Children's Health