Emerging Leader Helps Distribute Mosquito Nets in Togo and Benin

By Brickson Sam

At the end of 2008, the All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship (AABYF) partnered with the Baptist Unions of Benin and Togo and a United States ministry called HisNets, to distribute 4,000 mosquito nets from December 22-30.

Targeting areas susceptible to the danger of malaria, 2,000 mosquito nets were distributed in both Benin and Togo to orphanages, clinics, hospitals and to rural villages and communities that would otherwise be unable to afford to purchase these nets.

According to the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets, “use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission as much as 90% in areas with high coverage areas.” (http://www.nothingbutnets.net/nets-save-lives/)

Brickson Sam, President of the AABYF and a BWA Emerging Leader, supervised the distribution of the nets which received full support from the Baptist Unions of Benin and Togo and was sponsored by HisNets with a sum of $30,000.

Each of the distributions was preceded with a launching ceremony witnessed by government officials and religious and traditional leaders, as well as a short drama presentation conducted by youth on the benefits of protection from mosquito bites. The political and traditional leaders of the two countries expressed their profound thanks and considered the distribution of nets a blessing and an opportunity.

In recognition of the vital importance of mosquito nets, BWAid maintains an ongoing project to help in the distribution of mosquito nets, particularly in the western Congo where malaria is the primary cause of death for children ages 0 – 5 and in pregnant women. Fifty to 80% of the cases received in emergency pediatric rooms in hospitals are due to malaria.

AABYF hopes to continue to work in additional distributions of these important, life-saving nets which can often be purchased for as little as $10 a piece.

For more on HisNets: http://www.hisnets.org