Parish Episcopal School Supports NetsforLife® and Malaria Prevention

By The Rev. Joy Daley, Vicar, Church of the Transfiguration
 
After I returned from Africa last summer with Episcopal Relief & Development, I was invited to serve on the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund Campaign Advisory Committee. The goal of this committee is to work with organizations within the church and beyond to raise awareness about the deadly effects of malaria in Africa, which is carried by mosquitoes. We are also charged to spread the news about how we can work together to wipe out the spread of this disease that kills so many children under the age of five.
 
In the United States, we all know what it feels like to be bitten by a mosquito. It itches and is annoying but in a few days, the effects are gone. In sub-Saharan Africa, however, there’s a certain type of mosquito that only comes out after dark that carries malaria. The spread of the disease is so pervasive, that a child dies from it every sixty seconds. In the time that it has taken me to write these two brief paragraphs, five children have died.
 
While there is research being done to develop a vaccine to prevent malaria, one has not yet been found. The most effective way then, to prevent malaria is by insecticide treated mosquito nets that hang over beds at night. What I learned while I was in Africa is that these nets are making a huge difference. I was able to talk with people who said that while several family members had been sick before, since mosquito nets provided by Episcopal Relief & Development have been used, no one had been sick with malaria.
 
Through NetsforLife®, one mosquito net can cover a mother and two children. The $12 cost of the net includes the education, training, and monitoring and evaluation that go with it. This is very important because there are a number of worldwide organizations that drop nets in Africa, but many nets have gone unused because community education has not been provided. Episcopal Relief & Development always includes this with net distribution, training, and monitoring and evaluation. The current goal is to raise 5 million dollars to continue saving lives in Africa via the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund.
 
Part of my role as an advisory committee member is to spread the word throughout our diocese about the work that is already happening and to encourage churches, schools and other organizations to become a part of this life saving work. With this in mind, in January I contacted head chaplain and the coordinator the outreach efforts of the Parish Episcopal School. My goal was to engage the school in a campaign during Lent. As Lent began, I preached during chapel services on both campuses sharing with faculty and students how a simple effort could have such a huge impact, connecting what they might do with Christ’s servant ministry.
 
Using their own creativity and the resources on the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund website, the whole school became involved throughout the season of Lent. On the Hillcrest campus, the younger students brought up their offering each Thursday to be blessed after the opening procession. At the Midway campus on Maundy Thursday, representatives from all levels laid their offerings on the altar. The campaign culminated with a NetsforLife® basketball tournament during Easter week. Both students and staff participated. Between plays, facts about malaria and its effects were announced.
 
As a result of this well organized, integrated effort at our school, over $6,000 was raised. I am very proud of our faculty, chaplains and students for their enthusiasm and effort during this campaign. There is still work to be done, however.
 
You too can be a part of saving lives in Africa. Just $12 buys one net. For more information and to give online go to www.inspirationfund.org.