"With all respect, Sahib, you have little to teach us in strength and toughness. And we do not envy your restless spirit. Perhaps we are happier than you? But we would like our children to go to school. Of all the things you have, learning is the one we most desire for our children."
~Urkien Sherpa to Sir Edmund Hillary,
the first man to summit Mt. Everest

Friday, July 11, 2008

Help Fight Malaria in Burkina

Malaria is one of the most common infectious disease in Burkina Faso, killing more than 25,000 people (mostly children under the age of 5) each year. If you’re sitting at home asking yourself “What can I do?”, I have an answer.

One of my volunteer friends is working with SOS Enfants in Orodara, Burkina Faso. She has helped set them up to be a new distribution site for insecticide-treated mosquito nets through the Against Malaria Foundation. This means that if they raise enough funds, 5000 mosquito nets will be distributed free of charge to orphans, vulnerable children, and pregnant women. Donations are done online and are tax-deductable. Better yet, this British NGO receives private donations for all of their administrative costs, so 100% of your money goes towards the mosquito nets. At only $5 per net, a little bit goes a long ways. Though often associated with poverty, malaria is also a cause of poverty and a huge hindrance to economic development. Check out this link, and help a PCV out in her work. Thanks!

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