Make Malaria History
THE UNITED METHODIST RESPONSE TO MALARIA
United Methodists are joining forces with others to make malaria's grip on the lives of children and adults a part of history. The Make Malaria History campaign represents the spectrum of efforts United Methodists are supporting to eradicate this preventable and curable disease that kills at least one million people every year.
These efforts include the United Methodist Community-Based program that provides education, medication, and mosquito nets to prevent and treat malaria; Nothing But Nets, a United Methodist-endorsed campaign that channels funds through the United Nations Foundation for mosquito nets and instruction in their use in Africa; as well as the Inter Religious Campaign against Malaria in Mozambique.
Why is Combating Malaria Important?
- Another child will die of malaria within the next 30 seconds.
- The disease affects 500 million people worldwide; 90% of whom live in sub-Sahara Africa where it kills one fifth of the children under the age of five.
- Children who survive may develop chronic anemia and neurological impairment.
- Pregnant women are particularly susceptible.
- Malaria consumes 40% of public health expenditures and accounts for up to 50% of all outpatient visits and 30 - 50% of inpatient admissions in some places.
- Malaria is preventable and curable.
The burden of malaria is causing many countries in Africa to sink further into poverty. Malaria is both a cause of poverty and a result of poverty. The net loss to the economy in Africa due to malaria is estimated to be $12 billion ( US). Malaria's lethal impact decreases the economic potential of an African country by 1.3% through loss of productivity because of illness or death. The disease consumes 40% of public health expenditure and accounts for up to 50% of all outpatient visits and 30-50% of inpatient admissions. Malaria, in short, is a crisis that affects health, economics, and human dignity.
MAKE MALARIA HISTORY PROGRAMS
Community-Based Malaria Program
The Community-Based Malaria Program provides communities with comprehensive plans to combat malaria that are tailored to their specific needs. This initiative includes community training on basic measures to prevent sickness, free medications and consultations to those who are ill or who are especially vulnerable to malaria and providing insecticide treated nets to pregnant women and families with young children.
The program was launched in late 2005 in Sierra Leone and is now operating in seven African countries. Organized by the General Board of Global Ministries, the program supports United Methodist and ecumenical health workers and hospitals as they work to combat malaria in their communities. 
Nothing But Nets
Nothing But Nets is a United Methodist-endorsed project that supplies mosquito nets and training on how to use them. This project is operated through the United Nations Foundation which uses its network established through the Measles Project to distribute nets and training. For $10, a net and training on how to use it will be donated through the United Nations' network.
Initiated in March 2006 by a Sports Illustrated magazine writer, working with the National Basketball Association and UN Foundation, Nothing But Nets began its work in Nigeria and is expanding into other countries.
Inter Religious Campaign against Malaria in Mozambique
This inter religious working group focuses specifically on malaria prevention and control in Mozambique. Recognizing that malaria is an epidemic problem in this part of Africa the group crosses all religious barriers to bring an end to malaria in a country where malaria is a leading cause of death. All of the groups that are part of this campaign are pledged to collaborate in fortifying existing programs and start new ones.
Organized by the (Episcopal) National Cathedral in Washington, DC, the group includes Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish and Muslim organizations and has advisors from the US Center for Disease Control, USAID, and the United Nations Foundation. Dr. Cherian Thomas of the Health and Welfare Unit of the General Board of Global Ministries is a founding member of the group. It has received a grant from USAID and has been applauded by First Lady Laura Bush.
HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE MALARIA HISTORY
Your help is needed to strengthen these efforts to make malaria history. Make malaria history by purchasing mosquito nets through Nothing But Nets, Advance #982015 and by giving to the Community Based Malaria Program, UMCOR Advance #982009.
| Here are some things your money can buy through the Community-Based Malaria Program that supports United Methodist work in Africa. | |
|---|---|
| $5.00 | Provides medication to treat someone with malaria |
| $10.00 | Purchases one insecticide-treated mosquito net |
| $20.00 | Pays for the cost of food and treatment of anemia in a pregnant women with malaria |
| $50.00 | Buys 25 Rapid Diagnostic Kits for malaria |
| $100.00 | Covers the expenses for an anti-malaria campaign in a local school |
| $200.00 | Trains Traditional Birth Attendants in malaria prevention and treatment. |
| $500.00 | Provides all the expenses for a one day community leader training for 35-40 people on malaria prevention. |
HOW TO GIVE
By Offering | For local church and Annual Conference credit, put your gift in the offering plate on Sunday. |
By Check | For Nothing But Nets donations, make your check payable to GCFA. For Community Based Malaria Program, make your check payable to UMCOR. Both can be mailed to PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068 |
By Credit Card | Call toll-free (800) 554-8583 |
