Hi everybody! Today is World Malaria Day so today I’m re-posting some information I had previously discussed back in March on malaria and what we can do to help.
Malaria kills nearly one million people every year and the majority of its victims are children under the age of 5. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and, without treatment, it is often fatal. 90% of all malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and, in the Democratic Republic of the [Home Country], malaria is responsible for 40% of child deaths. It is the number 1 killer of children in the [Home Country]. And it is PREVENTABLE! Because the mosquitoes that transmit malaria feed at night, malaria transmission usually occurs between dusk and dawn. People in malaria areas are the most susceptible at night and their best line of defense against these tiny killers is mosquito nets. When insecticide-treated mosquito nets are used by three-quarters of the people in a community, the mosquito population drops by 90%, cases of malaria drops by 50%, and child deaths are cut by 20%. But, it is estimated that less than 5% of children in sub-Saharan Africa actually sleep under any kind of insecticide-treated mosquito net. The bad news – these nets can’t work if they don’t have them! The good news – we can help them get them! Nets For Life is an organization that is working to provide as many nets to as many people in Africa as possible. Nets For Life works in 17 sub-Saharan African countries, including the Democratic Republic of [Home Country]. They actually even work in the very district where our children are currently living. Please visit their website, read about their organization, and then GIVE to help try and save a life. Another wonderful organization through which you can give is World Vision. By giving $18 to World Vision, you can purchase bed nets for an entire family! Think of what you would sacrifice to save the life of your own family. Is another family not worth even $18? Another fantastic way to purchase nets is through the Nothing But Nets Campaign. This organization is currently running many different promotions to make the purchase of nets a little more fun for you. By signing up and sending a net to the South Sudan, you can even be entered into a drawing for tickets to see the Lion King in New York City! They’re making this too easy people! And I’m trying to make it as easy as possible. I’m giving you the information and the links, now you just have to give the money!
Last month I made a new [Home Country] adoption friend. Although I was thrilled to connect with her, I was also saddened to hear that her infant son, whom she and her family had been matched with earlier this year, had just recently passed away from malaria. This absolutely breaks my heart. Out of the 30 or so [Home Country] moms/dads I have met on this adoption journey, this is the third family who has had their child become sick with malaria. As a mom, this terrifies me. I, of course, immediately think of my babies and their safety. My instinct is to keep them safe and, as soon as legally possible, I will. But, all over Africa, “somebody’s babies” are hurting and dying, every day, every minute, from something as small as a mosquito bite. Our donations can give them a chance. Our donations can buy them hope and safety from this deadly disease.
In many of my previous posts lately I’ve answered a lot of peoples “why” questions regarding our adoption. But today I have one for all of us to answer. WHY are we not giving, going, helping? WHY, when we have so much, are we not reaching out to these people who so desperately need it. One mosquito net can fit three children underneath it. One mosquito net costs about 10$. WHY are we not buying these? WHY are we spending our money on things we don’t need when it could be used to save lives? I’ll be honest, I’m doing some major soul searching these days and I’m looking to make some major changes in my life and attitude towards so many things. I am realizing how blessed I am and how responsible I am to help those less fortunate than myself and my family. This adoption journey is definitely changing my life in that it is making me a mom and bringing 2 wonderful children into my life forever. But I hope and pray that it also irreversibly alters my heart so that I am a different, better person when this is over. I pray that I am open to everything God wants to do in me and through me and I pray that you will join me for this journey. Please give. Give to Nets For Life, give to World Vision, give to Nothing But Nets, or find another organization and give through them. But don’t let this day pass without doing something to help.
According to the World Health Organization, every 60 seconds, a child dies in Africa from a malaria infection. How many died while I was writing this post? How many died while you were reading it? How many could we save RIGHT NOW by simply giving?