In Africa, malaria remains one of the most devastating yet preventable and curable diseases, claiming the lives of more than 350,000 children each year. In Zambia, the impact of malaria is especially severe, with 30 to 50 percent of the population affected. Several factors contribute to this high infection rate, including widespread HIV—which weakens the immune system—along with water-logged areas that create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and poor sanitation conditions. For young children and pregnant women living with HIV, malaria can quickly become life-threatening. Even for those who survive, the long-term effects of repeated infections can hinder physical and cognitive development, affecting a child’s future for years to come.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets as the most cost-effective way to prevent malaria transmission. In response, TEL International has committed to reducing malaria infections in Zambia through the distribution of 15,000 long-lasting, insecticide-treated nets. These nets are expected to directly benefit 30,000 adults or up to 60,000 children. Priority will be given to the most vulnerable populations—HIV-positive children and adults, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals living with tuberculosis. Alongside the distribution of nets, the program provides education on malaria prevention, as well as instruction on the proper use and maintenance of the nets to ensure long-term impact.

This ongoing initiative has already brought about measurable improvements. Communities participating in the program have seen a significant drop in malaria cases, leading to better overall health—especially among children, pregnant women, and people living with HIV, who are most at risk. Healthier families mean children can attend school more consistently, adults can work productively, and households become more stable and self-sufficient. Moreover, as communities gain knowledge and confidence in malaria prevention, they become less dependent on outside aid and better equipped to sustain their own well-being.

Through consistent effort, education, and compassion, programs like this move us closer to a future where malaria deaths are eliminated entirely. Each net represents not just protection from disease, but the promise of a healthier, stronger, and more hopeful community.

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