These young ones are now protected from malaria, thanks to a one million bed net distribution throughout Cote d'Ivoire on Nov. 11-15, 2008.
Michelle Scott/UMCOR
Magan Ekoua smiles as her young children take an afternoon nap under their new mosquito net. The net creates a barrier between her sleeping children and the malaria-causing mosquitoes. It is treated with a long-lasting insecticide that provides additional protection for five years.
The day before Ekoua stood for four hours in the hot West African sun to have her three children vaccinated against measles, receive a vitamin A supplement, de-worming treatments and a mosquito net-all for free. This is part of a national vaccination campaign throughout Côte d'Ivoire that took place Nov. 10-15, 2008.
One Million Nets
Nearly a million nets were distributed to participating families with children under five years old throughout 18 civil districts of Côte d'Ivoire-where Malaria has claimed the lives of 172,000 children over the last five years, according to the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs.
The partnership to combat malaria in Côte d'Ivoire involved about 750 United Methodist volunteers, The United Methodist Church of Côte d'Ivoire, the Texas Annual Conference, the United Nations Foundation, the Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Health, United Methodist Communications, and UMCOR.
The nets were purchased through the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets Campaign and volunteers received basic malaria education training through UMCOR Health's Malaria Control program.
Community-Based Malaria Program
The Community-Based Malaria Program provides works through United Methodist hospitals and clinics in Africa to provide community education about the causes of malaria and simple steps that can be taken to prevent it. The program also provides for mosquito nets and free medication for those who have contracted malaria and cannot afford treatment.
Providing communities with information about this deadly disease and how it can be prevented and treated is how the battle of malaria can be fought-and won-home by home, community by community all across Africa.
Nothing But Nets
The United Methodist Church partners with the United Nations Foundation in their Nothing But Nets Campaign to provide mosquito nets throughout Africa. For $10, a net and training on how to use it will be donated through the United Nations' network.
How to Give
Help combat malaria by contributing to efforts like these. Give to
Community-Based Malaria Program, UMCOR Advance #982009 or Nothing But Nets, Advance #982015. Write the Advance # and name on the memo line of your check.
Online www.givetomission.org
By Offering For local church and Annual Conference credit, put your gift in the offering plate on Sunday.
By Check Make your check to UMCOR and mail to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087
By Credit Card Call toll-free (800) 554-8583