Malaria in Africa: Nothing but Nets and Nets for Life
Two campaigns combating a global pandemic
Amy Salisbury
Issue date: 5/6/08 Section: Features
The phrase "nothing but net" might conjure up thoughts of the perfect three-point shot at an all-star basketball game. In fact, there is even a weekly web program aptly named "Nothin' but Net" that highlights the Phoenix Suns' past wins. Obviously, the phrase has developed a versatile meaning since its conception. With the inspiration of Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, "Nothing But Net" is now an idiom synonymous with saving lives that sprouted awareness and organizations throughout America.
In May of 2006, Reilly wrote a powerful column about malaria, the leading killer of children in Africa. He challenged his readers to donate at least $10 to help buy antimalaria bed nets in the hopes of alleviating the countless deaths caused by this preventable disease. The reaction to Reilly's noble call produced over 1 million dollars in only a few months. Thus, Nothing But Nets was created.
The word spread faster than Reilly expected, and soon the United Nations Foundation jumped on board and took the message nationwide. In the two years of Nothing But Nets' operation, nearly 2 million antimalaria nets have made their way to beds all over the African continent, most concentrated in Sub-Saharan countries. What's more, the United Nations Foundation guarantees that 100% of every $10 donation goes to the purchase of bed nets. Nothing But Nets garners massive support including the National Basketball Association's NBA Cares, the United Methodist Church, VH1, and still grows daily.
NetsforLife is a similar campaign organized by the Episcopalian Church's Episcopal Relief and Development, and Christian Aid. The operation even has the support of local African churches in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria (to name a few) that double as partners and net distributors. Also established in 2006, NetsforLife remains focused on the goal of supplying 1 million nets across Africa by the end of 2008. Directed more on educating Americans about malaria, NetsforLife still aspires toward the same objective as Nothing But Nets: to eliminate the spread of malaria in African countries. Granted, the process seems simple. How could plain gauze nets prevent malaria?
In May of 2006, Reilly wrote a powerful column about malaria, the leading killer of children in Africa. He challenged his readers to donate at least $10 to help buy antimalaria bed nets in the hopes of alleviating the countless deaths caused by this preventable disease. The reaction to Reilly's noble call produced over 1 million dollars in only a few months. Thus, Nothing But Nets was created.
The word spread faster than Reilly expected, and soon the United Nations Foundation jumped on board and took the message nationwide. In the two years of Nothing But Nets' operation, nearly 2 million antimalaria nets have made their way to beds all over the African continent, most concentrated in Sub-Saharan countries. What's more, the United Nations Foundation guarantees that 100% of every $10 donation goes to the purchase of bed nets. Nothing But Nets garners massive support including the National Basketball Association's NBA Cares, the United Methodist Church, VH1, and still grows daily.
NetsforLife is a similar campaign organized by the Episcopalian Church's Episcopal Relief and Development, and Christian Aid. The operation even has the support of local African churches in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria (to name a few) that double as partners and net distributors. Also established in 2006, NetsforLife remains focused on the goal of supplying 1 million nets across Africa by the end of 2008. Directed more on educating Americans about malaria, NetsforLife still aspires toward the same objective as Nothing But Nets: to eliminate the spread of malaria in African countries. Granted, the process seems simple. How could plain gauze nets prevent malaria?
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