Hey guys. Sorry to be gone for so long—things get busy here and I’m a terrible procrastinator. Anyways, big news in little Mbagala… we got nets! Our (soon-to-be) non-profit, SALAMA Tanzania (Students for the Advancement of Learning and Medical Aid) provided nets for the schoolchildren, bibis, teachers, other staff, and AIDS orphans who are not yet a part of the school. 125 long-life nets went out, complete with insecticide treatment kits that should last for at least 3 years.
Nets are a big step forward in malaria prevention, which is a huge killer of the very young and very old in Sub-Saharan Africa. Because malaria, a parasite, is carried and transferred to humans by mosquitoes, which feed predominantly at dawn and dusk. Sleeping is a very vulnerable time, when we are unable to swat the damn things away. Sleeping under an insecticide treated net keeps away the mosquitoes, and hence the malaria, during that most vulnerable time.
If you’re interested, here’s a couple links on how nets can be effective against malaria:
USAID Article about nets in ZanzibarNothing But Nets Campaign for nets in Africa
And now, the pictures:
Explaining what they are
Getting our nets
"This is not for eating"
"This one's mine"
Big ups
I don't know why we insist on putting these above our heads
Maybe as sun protection, who knows
Heading home
2 comments:
Bravo Sweetie! You're impacting their lives and will leave them better for your having been there. They are such beautiful little chaildren and they need so much protection. Mom
Happy Birthday, Brian! More Bubbles, please. Love, Yia Yia and the Reschkes
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