Ladies and Gentlemen,
From the archives of interesting malaria videos, we bring to you … Private Snafu vs. Malaria Mike.
We enjoyed it, and hope you do too.
The End Malaria Campaign Team
end malaria blog
Community mobilizers in Kenya educate their community through Night of Nets
May 3rd, 2010 by Kelli Day
We just got word from Watamu, Kenya about a group of young Christians raising awareness about malaria through Night of Nets concert events!
Report on Night of Nets in Watamu, Kenya
From Rosemary Kahiga,
It is wonderful to realize you are all it takes for the world to change. How great can it be when all your limitations do not limit you to make an impact in the world. What a blessings it is to use what you have, however little, and at the end of it to know that that you are all it takes to make a difference.
When I first heard of Night of Nets and World Vision ACT:S, I felt I could act too, and made a commitment to host an event.
I gathered a few of my friends and put the idea on the table … and we formed our little group: “Epuka Squad” and our slogan “Epuka Usave.” Epuka is a Swahili name meaning “flee”or “keep off” while the slogan basically means “flee to save a life.”
Our Event:
We held an open air gospel music extravaganza in a small village called Watamu.
We started the event at 3:30 p.m. and closed it at 8 p.m. after showing the movie on a big screen using a projector for all to see.
I acted as the master of ceremony and, in between the performances, taught the public about malaria.
We had more than 300 people attending the event, and the sad news is that we realized very few people know the effects of malaria to be as fatal as they really are; there is a lot of ignorance in the community. Extreme poverty in this area contributes to a lot of death cases, especially among the children.
Most of the kids in the meeting were shocked after seeing the effects of malaria on the video Africa’s Deadliest Predator.
A number of deaths in the area are attributed to witchcraft rather than natural causes. This includes children’s deaths … chances are, malaria is a major contributor.
We have had calls from other places in Kenya who desperately need to be taught and helped to save their families and we plan to extend this mission far and wide.
We have started small, but we have a bigger dream to free Kenya, Africa and other areas affected by malaria.
Malaria on display at Union Station exhibit, Washington D.C.
April 30th, 2010 by Shawna Templeton
This year, the malaria campaign team spent Sunday, April 25, World Malaria Day, preparing an interactive exhibit. “The History of Malaria: A Presidential Perspective” traces the history of malaria in the U.S. and the three famous presidents whose lives were seriously impacted by malaria. Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt all survived bouts of malaria.
Did you know that soldiers in the American Civil War were at greater risk from malarial mosquitoes than muskets? Statistics show that more than 400,000 were wounded in combat; more than 1.3 million were afflicted with malaria.
Try to imagine the story of America without names like Washington or Lincoln. Impossible, isn’t it? And yet each man had a brush with life-threatening malaria – all because of a simple mosquito bite.
The interactive exhibit featured an action station, where visitors could send an e-mail to their elected leaders, urging them to fulfill their commitment to malaria funding.
From tourists visiting our nation’s Capital, to business people and decision makers who work on the Hill, we were able to bring the message home: malaria kills. We ended it in the U.S. more than 50 years ago, but in the rest of the world, people are still dying from malaria: more than 2,000 children a day. It’s time to end malaria, once, and for all.
Let God use you to be a voice. You may be surprised.
April 23rd, 2010 by Shawna Templeton
On the second day of the summit, our 75 advocates turned their sharpened understanding of malaria and advocacy into practice and took to Capitol Hill to lobby Congress. The message they carried was simple: Malaria is killing more than 2,000 children a day, but we can help stop it.
New York delegates meet with an aide for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Garrett Hubbard for Genesis Photos
Delivering the message
Nearly 50 congressional meetings took place, covering members from 18 states. Linda and Peter Wajda, along with the rest of the New York delegation, met with a congressional aide for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Linda says that it was very clear that Sen. Gillibrand is an ally in fighting malaria.
She was surprised by how simple the meeting was. “It’s not as scary as I thought it would be,” she says. “It feels very good to have a voice and use it.” When she and Peter return home they hope to encourage others to speak out with them, even if they can’t come to Washington for in-person meetings. “I didn’t realize that just as few as 10 calls can start to get some action on an issue,” she explains.
Anna Streeter, also a New York delegate, from Long Island, was encouraged by the meeting as well. “It was excellent. I feel very positive about our meeting … He was so responsive to what we appealed for.”
Next step, involving others
Mara Seibert, a student at McDaniel College in Maryland met with a staff person from the office of Rep. Elijah Cummings. “At first I was a bit nervous,” she says. “I probably talked a little bit too fast.”
Garrett Hubbard for Genesis Photos
She was also encouraged by her meeting “He was very interested in what we had to say,” she says. “It actually is really easy to talk to your members of Congress.” One of the lessons learned that she says she will pass on to other new advocates is that having specific requests was really important.
Mara says feels emboldened to go back to her campus and help prepare other students for advocacy. “Since we have learned how easy it is to talk with your representatives, maybe in the future … we’ll schedule some meetings for our school advocacy team, now that we know how to do it.”
You may be surprised
You never know who you will see in Washington. Many advocates were surprised to catch a glimpse of fitness personality Richard Simmons in front of the Capitol, enjoying the company of some school groups and other visitors. He happens to be in town to celebrate the passage of the FIT KIDS bill.
Our California delegates approached Mr. Simmons to tell him about our cause. He expressed great appreciation for their advocacy on malaria, explaining that his mother once contracted malaria in Louisiana, many years ago, before it was eliminated in the United States.
California delegate Kari Kramer poses with Mr. Simmons.
“When you are willing to let God use your voice, you may be surprised by who you get to speak before — be it a member of Congress, man on the street, or a celebrity whose path you happen to cross,” says Mike Yoder, our advocacy campaigns director. “The main thing is to be ready and willing to use your voice. You may be surprised by whose path you cross and who you have a chance to influence.
We are hopeful that we will have the opportunity to celebrate success the way Mr. Simmons has. Today’s activities were an important step toward victory.
Voices in the nations capital advocate for an end to malaria
April 21st, 2010 by Shawna Templeton
Today was the first day of our Action Summit to End Malaria in Washington, D.C. People have come from across the country to be part of this first-time event, hosted by World Vision.
A life-saving cause
Among the participants, there is a palpable sense of purpose, passion, and true belief that the voices of few can make a difference. It’s encouraging to see people from different walks of life come together to be part of this single life-saving cause.
Linda and Peter learn some tips for effective advocacy. Garrett Hubbard for Genesis Photos
Linda Wajda and her 14-year-old son, Peter, traveled from Florida, N.Y., to attend. Linda, a World Vision child ambassador, says the malaria issue personally impacts her as a mother. “When you see that 85 percent of the deaths are [children under age 5], that gives you a very personal face. As a mother, I can particularly relate,” she explains.
“I was excited as a mom to bring my son,” she continues. “The chance to guide him and show him where his faith intersects with the world is a wonderful thing. I want him to be a grateful and connected person and use the great gifts God has given him to bless other people.”
Preparation and learning
The purpose of the summit is to bring concerned citizens together to press Congress to keep its commitment to fight this leading killer of children. Today, we prepared for our congressional meetings that will take place tomorrow, where we will make our case.
Participants got to know one another and had the opportunity to learn from malaria experts, seasoned advocates, and government officials, all committed to eliminating malaria. One guest speaker was Admiral Timothy Zeimer, the global malaria coordinator for the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). He reported on how the PMI, in partnership with organizations like World Vision, are achieving encouraging results in the fight against malaria.
Attendees also received advocacy training from World Vision staff members and had the opportunity to practice with their groups to prepare for tomorrow’s meetings.
Mara shares about her experience with advocacy. Garrett Hubbard for Genesis Photos
Mara Siebert, a student at McDaniel College in Fredrick, Md., came with a few friends to learn about malaria and gain experience in advocacy. “It seems so wrong that something so easily eradicated is still allowed to go on,” she says. “There is something so unjust about that.”
She looks forward to tomorrow’s meetings but admits she is also a bit nervous about it. “I’m excited to figure out how to do it and then actually do it,” she says.
Acting on knowledge in a meaningful way
Another attendee, Sam Rund, is a graduate student at Notre Dame, specifically studying the anophelos mosquito, one that carries malaria. He decided to come to the summit because it was a chance for him to get out of the lab and learn more about the real-life impact of malaria and act on that knowledge in another meaningful way.
“I look forward to seeing if we can shape political discourse in a way that’s helpful,” says Sam, adding that his faith motivates him to speak out. “We are called to help the needy. I can’t think of a much better way to do that.”
To end the afternoon, we heard from Keith Stewart, senior pastor of Springcreek Church who is a passionate advocate for the poor. Keith led a group discussion on advocacy as a Christian response to malaria.
James Pedrick, World Vision’s advocacy advisor, says he feels like this is the beginning of something big. “Many lobby days feel like the end of a journey, but this summit is really just the beginning of a movement,” he says. “Now it will be up to us on the frontline to mobilize our churches, families, friends, campuses, and communities so that by next World Malaria Day, thousands more are advocating to end malaria.”
This evening, we’ll enjoy a Night of Nets concert at a nearby church in Arlington, Va., with a performance by indie folk rock band Melodime. Advocacy can be fun as well as powerful.
Of course, we won’t be up too late. We’ll need to turn in early so that we wake up well-rested and ready to head to Capitol Hill to meet with our members of Congress and tell them why ending malaria is so critical. We know that the lives of millions of vulnerable children are at stake.
Another death reminds me help is still needed
April 21st, 2010 by Shawna Templeton
(Part 5 of 5)
By Andrea Peer, Photojournalist, World Vision
Today from my home in Seattle, Washington, I was sharply brought back to Mozambique. It’s been several months since I was there, but now everything is flooding back.
I received another email this morning, this time with a photo. The subject line was about Costa, the boy at the hospital who was recovering from malaria. Horrified, I glanced at the caption then quickly opened the photo.
In the photo, Costa’s father wears the same button-up shirt he wore when I met him in the hospital. But this time, he is standing next to his wife, looking down at a mound of dirt. My mouth drops. That’s Costa’s grave. Ten-year-old Costa Eduardo is dead. I cannot believe it.
I returned to the email to find out what happened. Apparently, Costa was dismissed from the hospital but he never fully recovered. His parents lacked the basic resources to care for him. He died at home before they could get any help.
At first I felt devastated. Now, I am angry. The deaths of Costa and Justina could have been prevented. They didn’t need expensive anti-malarial medication from a pharmacy. All they needed were bed nets.
A bed net treated with insecticide can ward away the mosquitoes carrying the nasty malaria parasite. For just a few dollars, Costa and Justina could have lived.
My anger is somewhat dissipated knowing that World Vision is distributing insecticide-treated bed nets throughout several African countries, including Mozambique. Costa and Justina’s community will soon have several bed nets for every household. Other children’s lives will be protected.
But help is still needed. For little sacrifice from us, you and I can protect precious lives. Malaria has taught me once more that life is fragile. But sometimes the difference between life and death can be a simple $6 bed net.
Home, but haunted
April 20th, 2010 by Kelli Day
(Part 4 of 5)
By Andrea Peer, Photojournalist, World Vision
I arrived home from Mozambique a few days ago. It’s good to be home, but I’m still thinking about malaria and the people I met. Especially with the heart-breaking news I just received.
This morning I got an e-mail that destroyed my ability to gulp down my tears. Eleven-year-old Justina Sona has passed away. Malaria killed her. I am stunned. I thought Justina would live. The doctor said she was recovering.
The face of her father keeps flashing into my mind—his sorrowful eyes anxiously watching his ill daughter, his gentle hands surrounding her, his love tangibly evident. This father left everything to bring his daughter to the hospital. He stayed by her side night and day. I can imagine his silent grief now turned to sobs, his careful composure now collapsed.
Then, I keep thinking of Justina’s mother. A mother’s grief from losing her child, a daughter who for 11 years walked with her, ate with her, cried with her.
My tears keep coming. Even in my tears those parent’s faces haunt me. I cannot get their faces out of my head.
Children recovering from malaria, maybe?
April 19th, 2010 by Kelli Day
(Part 3 of 5)
By Andrea Peer, Photojournalist, World Vision
To my relief, when I come back to the hospital room the next day, Costa and Justina are still alive. Over the next two days, I meet their mothers, their aunts, their siblings. My presence becomes more welcome, their grief and concern less guarded.
When I arrive on the third day, I see a young boy sitting up outside the hospital room. To my delightful surprise, it is Costa! His fever has broken and strength has returned to his body. He still looks ill and can’t smile, but his father is ecstatic. I feel so relieved and so happy for this young boy and his family.
Sadly, I walk inside the hospital room and Justina still lies there surrounded by both her parents. Her mother’s distraught face immediately tells me that everything is not well. Justina looks the same as when I met her three days earlier. Malaria had invaded her brain, inducing a coma. She is now out of the coma, but the effects of cerebral malaria are relentless.
I say goodbye to Justina and Costa and their families, wishing them well, trusting they are on the road to recovery.
A hospital room in Mozambique
April 15th, 2010 by Kelli Day
(Part 2 of 5)
By Andrea Peer, Photojournalist, World Vision
I step into a hospital room and my heart steps into my throat. I swallow and blink, adjusting to the low light. Almost before I see their faces, I feel the protective stares of two fathers scrutinizing me, a foreigner unable to speak their language. I meet their looks, one by one, and see heart-broken men willing to do anything to defend their children. Sadly, the worst attack had already struck. Severe malaria had invaded their children’s bodies.
On two rickety hospital beds, 11-year-old Justina Sona and 10-year-old Costa Eduardo lie next to each other. There is no room for chairs, barely even room to walk, so the fathers sit next to their children’s heads at the edge of the beds.
Justina’s eyes are closed. She isn’t moving and I can hardly tell if she is breathing. Her father moves closer to her, looks up at me, this time pleading for help.
I do what I can with facial expressions and non-verbal communication to relay my concern and my care to these fathers. I know I will come back tomorrow and be able to talk to them more, but I’m not sure if these children will make it until tomorrow.
So, as a photojournalist, out comes my camera.
The clicks of my camera shutter feel deafening in that small room. That is, until Costa starts moaning. He is near the height of his malarial fever, tossing and turning.
He throws off the blankets and his father gently covers him back up. He lies in his father’s arms with his eyes rolled back in his head. I gulp, fighting back the tears. Death seems poised to steal this young boy’s life any second.
Panic at an American pharmacy
April 13th, 2010 by Kelli Day
By Andrea Peer, Photojournalist, World Vision
A panic moment at an American pharmacy reminds me how much I do not want to risk getting malaria. (Part 1 of 5)
What do you mean you have no anti-malarial medication?
Andrea, on her way to Mozambique.
I stand at the pharmacy line sweating. My flight is leaving in less than three hours to Mozambique, a country with one of the highest malaria prevalence rates in the world. I’ve seen the charts, done the research, and I know the dangers of this disease.
But now I am starting to panic.
My anti-malarial medication was supposed to have been ready last week. At first, the prescription from the doctor didn’t come through. Now, they have run-out of Malarone, my protection against this unforgiving disease.
“What do you mean you have no Malarone in stock?” I ask the pharmacist. She shrugs her shoulders and says a new delivery will be coming in about 5 hours.
I glance at the clock. Five hours is too late. I need to be at the airport now.
A clerk calls a nearby pharmacy. Unlike pharmacies in many rural parts of Africa, running out of medicine is rare in this Seattle neighborhood. Indeed, the clerk finds a pharmacy that carries Malarone and offers to literally run over there to purchase some of their stock. I gratefully agree.
Standing there waiting, still sweating, and trying not to panic, it hits me: I would do anything to get those medicines. I would pay an outrageous sum of money, I would sprint a mile to another pharmacy, I would postpone my trip, but I do not want to get on the plane without protection against malaria.
So, what about those children in Mozambique who have no protection against malaria? It only costs a few dollars for a mosquito net that can prevent one or two children from getting malaria. If I would give almost anything to protect myself from malaria, a few bucks to protect children from malaria is a small investment with a huge reward.
The clerk returns with the Malarone, I thank him profusely, and dash to the airport just in time for my flight.
You may be thinking I am just being dramatic. If I didn’t get the medication, surely I would’ve been fine. Malaria can’t be that bad, can it?
I guess I’ll see.
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