Every 30 Seconds, a Child in Africa Dies of Malaria
United Methodists are working to stamp out malaria, one community
at a time through the Community-Based Malaria Control Program.
The initiative focuses on the health of entire communities by
addressing the factors that allow this mosquito-borne illness to
spread.
United Methodist health clinics,
schools, church buildings, pastors, and members of congregations are being organized to develop a community-based model of malaria education, prevention, and treatment that can be replicated in other countries.
The program was launched in Sierra Leone, a nation that not only bears the brunt of malaria's burden, but also has a United Methodist community mobilized to act.
Support this vital health outreach called Nothing But Nets Campaign
by going to www.nothingbutnets.net
The "Nothing But Nets" campaign was heavily promoted during the Global Young People's Convocation and Legislative Assembly held recently in Johannesburg, South Africa. In his sermon during the Sunday morning worship service, Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa of Zimbabwe praised the intent and work of the "Nothing But Nets" campaign. He encouraged the young people to support the work by
purchasing nets and the "Buzzkill" tee shirts.
Bishop Nhiwatiwa thenchallenged them to go further. "Nothing But Nets" addresses a symptom of a much deeper problem. Malaria is killing children every 30 seconds because the vast majority of them live in poverty. He challenged the young people to become agents of justice, to follow
Jesus' mission to "bring good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18b).
Bishop Nhiwatiwa's challenge to the young people of The United
Methodist Church applies also to members of Covenant Discipleship
groups who are wondering what they can do for justice, how they can
bring "good news to the poor."
Here are some suggestions:
- Support and get involved with the "Make Poverty History" campaign. To learn about this, go to http://www.makepovertyhistory.org
- Contribute to and write letters for Bread for the World: http://www.bread.org/
- Sign up to be part of UMPower through the General Board of Church and Society website at http://www.umpower.org to communicate regularly with your elected representatives in Washington, DC. on issues of justice and peace.
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