Prevent Malaria in Sierra Leone with Mosquito Nets

The statistics are depressing!  According to the Word Heatlh Organization (see link below) "In 2008, malaria caused nearly one million deaths, mostly among African children".  Think of all the lost lives and potential...

Fortunately, we are together doing our part to ensure that more lives are saved and protected by providing insecticide-treated nets.  We are slowly but surely helping to protect lives from this avoidable disease.  The article clearly recommends the use of nets as an effective prevention measure:

"insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs): Long lasting insecticide impregnated nets (LLINs) are the preferred form of insecticide treated nets for public health distribution programmes. WHO recommends universal vector control coverage, and in most places, the most cost effective way to achieve this is through provision of LLINs, so that everyone in high transmission areas sleeps under a LLIN every night;"

In 2010, together with other donors, we were to distribute over 500 nets. Considering that some of these nets, when in use provide protection for at least 2 people, over 750 lives are being protected. This is uplifting and encouraging as we are making a real difference!  Thank you for helping make this happen! 

Onikeh, one of the beneficiaries that has received an insecticide-treated net net, extends her gratitude to you and all donors for helping to provide her with this net.  Onikeh's dream is to become a medical doctor.  When she becomes a medical doctor, she will be able help others affected by malaria!

This year, we plan to provide at least double this number - over 1000 nets.  Please join us in helping to protect and save many more lives.  We welcome your support as we undertake this venture.  A great time to make your next donation will be March 16th, Globalgiving Bonus Day.  On this day, GlobalGiving matches a percentage (30-50%) of each donation up until a certain donation amount.  This is a great way to maximize and make your donation go oven further.  Thanks for your support!

Links:

• World Health Organization Statistics on Malaria

Warm greetings

We have some bad news and some good news to report:

The bad news:  Just recently there we ran across an article linked below.  Here is an excerpt from the article:

"The most dangerous type of malaria-carrying mosquito, which kills up to a million people each year, is evolving into two different species, posing grave problems for controlling the transmission of the blood parasite." 

Fortunately - even in this dark cloud, there is a silver lining in the article:

"Our studies help us to understand the makeup of the mosquitoes that transmit malaria, so that we can find new ways of preventing them from infecting people."

Here's the very good news - that is worth telling all your friends: Together we are continuing to provide insecticide-treated nets that have been proven to be very effective as a shield against mosquito bites.  I can also attest from personal experience that they do make a huge difference.

The attached photo shows some of the beneficiaries with nets that your donations have helped to provide.  We are excited about this opportunity that is making a significant impact - saving them from sickness, lost time at work or school, lost finances through medication etc.

We look forward to saving even more lives with your on-going support!  Please share this update with a friend / family member and make a donation today.  Thanks for your support!

Links:

• Malaria fears escalate as most dangerous mosquito mutates