Distributing Mosquito Nets To Help Prevent Malaria In Niger.

Every 30 seconds, a child under the age of five dies from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Learn how something as simple as a bed net can prevent this tragedy.

Imagine that 9 month old Aichatou is your baby daughter. Now imagine that she was just bitten by a mosquito. What would you do? Are you worried? In the comfort of my home in Virginia (where we happen to have a lot mosquitoes), I would put hydrocortisone on the bump and forget about it until it needed more ointment to keep her from itching it. That, however, is not the reality for Aichatou’s mother, Chafa. They live in the small village of Moli, Niger – a country where Malaria is endemic. Her village is blessed to be along a river where they can fish, bathe, wash clothes, have rice fields, and irrigate their gardens. This branch of the river, however, gets cutoff from its main source during the dry season, causing the water to stand stagnate – becoming the perfect breeding ground for malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

While talking to the mother, I learned Chafa had been diagnosed with malaria just over a month ago, was treated at the hospital, and is now taking medication. That led me to realize that Aichatou easily could have been the one to get Malaria. She is usually strapped to her Mother’s back, in her arms, or lying down next to her on their single mattress in a small home that has unscreened windows opened to let in a breeze. Did I mention how hot it is here?

As I held little Aichatou in my arms, I started imagining the fear a single mosquito bite would bring me if I were her parent. My boys get bit by mosquitoes while they sleep all the time and we don’t have to open our windows because we have central A/C in our home. What would I do?

I stated that malaria is endemic in Niger, that knowledge came from the Operation Blessing Niger’s Medical Director, Dr. Idi. He has worked for the World Health Organization, and was the countries Health Inspector before coming to Operation Blessing. Dr. Idi also told me that the people of Niger are becoming resistant to the medications that doctors have used to treat it. For babies, it can be especially hard to treat because mother’s wait too long to bring in their sick child. They assume their baby is only sick and will get better soon. When they do finally go, it is too late and it can turn into cerebral malaria which can cripple or kill the baby. Malaria is curable, but best solution is to find ways to keep from getting it. There are many ways to keep from getting bit by a malaria-carrying mosquito – one simple solution to combat this complex infectious disease is a mosquito net. An that is what we gave to 126 mothers of Children under the age of 3.

It was a privilege to be a part of the mosquito net distribution that Operation Blessing held today in Moli, Niger. I am honored to have the opportunity to personally give one mosquito net to Chafa and Aichatou on your behalf so that they will have a shield of protection from malaria. I am thankful for Operation Blessing donors that give to our “Join The Net” program because they are making a difference in the lives of children like Aichatou.

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