Did you know that 91% of all malaria deaths occur in Africa*? Or, that the mosquito that transmits malaria only bites from dusk until dawn? Until there is a viable, clinically-tested vaccine for malaria bed nets are the only saving grace for children whose immune systems are too weak to fight off the deadly disease.

Our partner, Malaria No More, is determined to end malaria in Africa by 2015. That is only a mere three years away.

Malaria killed 655,000 people in 2010*, most of whom were children under the age of 5. These lives can be saved with simple bed nets and education about their importance. There is good news, though. Since 2000 malaria deaths have fallen 26% globally and 33% in Africa*.

When I was in Kenya with ONE last year we visited a hospital in Kisumu, Kenya where we visited a pediatric clinic. There we witnessed parents who sat lovingly with their children who were lying sick in hospital beds terribly ill from malaria. I am certain that some of those children passed from malaria in the days after our visit, just as I am certain some of them lived.

The main point is that malaria is a preventable disease. Even though there is currently no vaccine yet, insecticide treated bed nets along with educational programs can drastically control the disease.

If you would like to get involved with Malaria No More visit them online at http://malarianomore.org/get-involved

*Statistics: Malaria No More: http://malarianomore.org/news/updates/world-malaria-report-2011

Photo copyright: Malaria No More