Prevent Malaria in Sierra Leone with Mosquito Nets

Light, camera, action! - It's video time and time to hear from none other than our bed net beneficiaries themselves.

This report provides a peek into the world of 2 children in Freetown who briefly talk about the difference that the bed nets have made in their lives.  Kadiatu firstly, tells us that "the bed net was so important in promoting good health.  No more mosquito bites, malaria, skin rash".  She also adds, "No more extra spending in my health.  The benefits are staying.  Healthy sound mind, sound sleep". 

Ali, the second beneficiary, tells us that "Without the treated bed nets, I would not be as healthy as I am.  Thanks to Develop Africa my mother is now using the proceeds from her business to nourish my body – not to fight malaria."

The video is 2 minutes long and also includes several individual and group photos of other beneficiaries.  Click here to watch the video of the bed net beneficiaries.

Two key elements to note here:

1. Beneficiaries are now safe, healthy and sleeping well.  Besides not getting sick, the nets are providing the added benefit of sleep
2. The nets are saving the families from unnecessary expenditure on malaria sickness treatment.  From talking to the families, I know that this can be an unnecessary drain on the meager financial resources of families.

By providing this simple but effective solution, we are together making a definite difference.  Thanks so much for your life-changing and on-going support.

Links:

• Video of mosquito net beneficiaries on youtube

It's with joy that we share another family profile of mosquito net distribution - where we are together saving the world from malaria and death - one family at a time.  Musu, Mummy and Abdulai are recipients of the treated bed nets with the aim to combat the spread of malaria. Musu attends the New Hope International primary school and she is in class four. She wants to be a doctor when she grows. Mummy is a mother of five children and the main provider of her home with monthly income of $40 from the cake she sells -  which is not enough to cover the basic needs of the home. She is the mother of Musu. They live in a two bed room apartment zinc sheet home with no running water and electricity. Abdulai is a nephew to Mummy and is attending the New Hope preparatory school and is in class one. He wants to be a banker when he grows. They previously did not have nets and could not afford to purchase one.

As stated in the article - Mosquito nets or coil: Which is better?,  - "The non-availability of insecticide-treated mosquito nets is a major problem. It is presently inaccessible to the common man because of its cost. Considering the economic status of most people in the community, not many people buy it."  The article further states  - "Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) have been shown to reduce deaths in children under five years of age by about 20 per cent and malarial illnesses among children under five and pregnant women by up to 50 per cent. The insecticides used to treat the nets have been approved for safety and efficacy by the World Health Organization." 

It is no wonder that the nets we provide are so warmly received as they are providing an essential, life-preserving  life line.  Musu, Mummy and Abdulai were delighted to receive the nets and extend their thanks to you - GlobalGiving donors for the provision.  Together we are helping to turn back the tide and reduce the numbers dying each year from malaria.  Per UNICEF, "Malaria kills a child somewhere in the world every 30 seconds. It infects between 350 and 500 million people each year, killing one million, mostly children in Africa. Ninety per cent of malaria deaths occur in Africa, where malaria accounts for about one in five of all childhood deaths. The disease also contributes greatly to anaemia among children — a major cause of poor growth and development."  It sure feels good to know that we are together helping to turn back the tide and reduce the numbers dying each year from malaria. Now, thanks to your generosity, Musu Mummy and Abdulai are now exempt and preserved.

Your Donations Matched on June 13th: GlobalGiving will be matching donations on June 13th.  This is a great time to make a donation as the funds donated will go even further.

Upcoming Father's Day Gift Suggestion: In closing, we wanted to let you know of the on-going opportunity to make a donation in honor of the special person in your life.  A donation to this project is a fantastic (and easy) gift for Dad on Father’s Day!  You can make a donation as a gift to your Dad on this project by selecting the third giving option, “gift or in honor of,” under the orange donate button on the project page. GlobalGiving will then send your Dad or the gift recipient an email, print-at-home, or physical card. GlobalGiving offers several fun card designs and you will have the option of choosing a design customized for this project, using the project’s main photo (this option is available for email and print-at-home cards).

Fathers - you can also request this as your Father's day gift!

Make your donation in Father's honor and support a great cause today!

Thanks again for all you do to provide nets and save lives!

Links:

• Mosquito nets still most effective prevention method