TEL International and its partners are helping to keep vulnerable children and families malaria free and healthy by providing 15,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets.

In Africa, more than 350,000 children die needlessly every year from malaria which is both preventable and curable. In Zambia, a large percentage (30-50%) of the population is infected by malaria due to a high incidence of HIV (weakens the immune system), water logging (prefect breeding ground for mosquitoes), and poor sanitation. Malaria can be fatal for young children, and pregnant women who are HIV+. In addition, children who contract malaria suffer from its effects over their entire lifetime.

According to the WHO, sleeping under a net is the most cost effective way of preventing malaria. Our goal is to lower the incidence of malaria by the provision of 15,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets that will benefit 30,000 adults or 60,000 children. Nets will be provided to the most vulnerable populations: HIV+ children and adults, pregnant women, older adults, and people infected with TB. Education on prevention of malaria and use and maintenance of nets will also be provided.

This ongoing program has led to a reduction in the incidence of malaria, and better health for all especially, young children, expecting mothers, and people living with HIV who are most vulnerable to malaria. With better health, school attendance is higher, adults miss fewer days at work and can take better care of their families. With better knowledge about prevention, malaria deaths can be reduced to zero. In the long term the community is more self-reliant and can solve problems on its own.

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