Last year, when members of the Presbyterian Church of New Providence were struck with the reality of scary statistics occurring because of one of the world’s deadliest predators, they took action. Action that has led to life saving transformation in a country thousands of miles away.
This deadly predator is an insect we see as harmless, except for maybe an itchy arm or leg here and there. But when mosquitos are carrying malaria, they set off a chain reaction that can ultimately be traced to being one of the root causes of slow economic development and poverty, among other things. See, when young children suffer from malaria, they are on a painful road that can lead to paralysis and even death. 2,000 children die EVERY DAY from malaria. But malaria is also the cause of 30% of all absenteeism in schools across the entire continent of Africa. This leads to slowing in economic and educational development, thus continuing the cycle of poverty, especially when combined with AIDS, malnutrition and other issues children and adults deal with in developing countries.
The Presbyterian Church of New Providence took action against this disease because the statistics were so alarming, yet also because it can so easily be prevented. It is the kind of initiative where you can give a little, or give a lot and either way you know you are making a difference. Their slogan was, “Buy a Net, Save a Life,” and it really is that easy! Through videos, photos and information presented to the congregation, the church really started to get behind this project.
It was a one month giving project, and this cause would also be the recipient of their Thanksgiving offering. In just one month, this one church alone raised $40,000 to go towards the fight against malaria, specifically in the two regions of Malawi that Y-Malawi works in, Nkhoma and Chilenje!
This was an overwhelming outcome that poured out from just two women determined to do something about the issue of malaria, and bringing their whole church together to take action. We are still fighting this war against malaria in Malawi, but battles are won every time more individuals like YOU decide that a child should not have to suffer and even die because of a mosquito bite. Malaria is preventable. Malaria can be eradicated. Malaria WILL be defeated when we decide that enough is enough.
