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April 25, 2007 -- First Lady, Laura Bush visited Friendship Public Charter Schoo lin N.E., D.C. to help launch the first annual Malaria Awareness Day to bring awareness to the devastating disease that continues to kill many on the continent of Africa.
Malaria, a preventable disease, is the leading cause of death in children under five years old in African regions.**
The First Lady told the class of second graders, "Malaria
is very, very bad disease. We used to have malaria here in our country, but not any more. But
there is still malaria in Africa."
"This
is the day where we think about the people in Africa to help in making their country free of malaria too," said the First
Lady.
The awareness campaign, in partnership with Malaria No More, an organization founded by a group of business leaders and philanthropists, hopes to raise money through yearly contributions
events to provide medication, and oddly enough, a simple item such as bed nets, which it hopes will prevent the spread of
the disease caused by mosquitoes.
The bed nets are treated with a long-lasting insecticide
that the Malaria No More foundation believes will be the primary defense that provides a barrier against mosquitoes during
the night, the period when malaria transmissions occur.
Mrs. Bush has visited Africa on four occasions and
has witnessed the devastation of families affected by the disease. She is quoted as
saying, “I want to ensure that the good intentions of the American people result in a better life for millions of families
in Africa.”
Telling the class of Friendship Public Charter School
second graders, “This is the day where we think about the people in Africa to help make their country free of malaria
too."
The students were primed on the topic of malaria by
watching a video entitled ‘One Bed Net. $10. Save A Life’. (It is
estimated that $10 is the cost of manufacturing one net).
The students later grouped into teams to play a ‘Jeopardy' style game called Malaria Jeopardy where
they were tested on their knowledge of the topic.
The day-long event garnered support from both the NBA
and WNBA’s Washington Mystics. For each foul shot made by the students,
ten-dollars would be donated to the Malaria No More foundation.
Students of the Friendship school said they thought the First Lady’s visit was
fun and exciting.
Several other events to help kick off the campaign were planned throughout the day
featuring guest appearances and activities at the White House.
Board members of the Malaria No More organization include
Nancy Brinker, Founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Former Board member included the recently deceased
Jack Valenti, President of the Global Fight Against Aids and Tuberculosis.
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