NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund Story from the Field April 2012

ANGOLA – Malaria is by far the most common cause of illness and death in Angola— children under
age five account for half of all malaria deaths. More than half the population lives in malaria-prone
areas where transmission occurs throughout the entire year.
Malita, a pregnant young mother of two children, had just returned home to Angola with her family
from neighboring northern Namibia after fleeing a 27-year long civil war that ended in 2002.
Preparations were being made to cultivate the family’s farm, as they heard vegetables were selling well
in the local market. Soon after her return home, “the fever” struck her oldest child. Malita had no idea
what caused it; her mother-in-law said it was “bad sugar cane.” He died in her arms in less than one
day from “the fever” — malaria.
Each day, malaria takes the lives of nearly 3,000
children in sub-Saharan Africa. To protect Malita
and families in the region from malaria, Episcopal
Relief & Development has implemented
NetsforLife® a malaria prevention program.
Together with her mother-in-law, Malita
journeyed from her village of Namakunde to the
town of Ondjiva to receive a long-lasting
insecticide-treated net (LLIN) distributed by the
Anglican Diocese of Angola, Episcopal Relief &
Development’s local NetsforLife® partner. Malita
left with a net and knowledge about the symptoms
of malaria and how, quickly, to seek treatment.
Malita became a volunteer community malaria agent. Today, she makes sure those most vulnerable to
malaria are protected — children under five, pregnant women, the elderly and sick. She teaches
women how to use the nets, how to detect the symptoms of malaria and where to seek treatment.
Malita’s knowledge and experience saves lives in her village. Her willingness to help others prevent
needless deaths from malaria, and builds the health, well-being, agricultural production and economic
vitality of her small community.
The NetsforLife® the Inspiration Fund is a grassroots effort to educate, engage, and
unite Episcopalians to support the Millennium Development Goals through the fight
against malaria. Our goal is to build awareness about this disease, how it can be
prevented, and raise $5 million by December 2012.