My sister-in-law just returned from six months living in The Gambia, where she has been teaching and doing some nursing (and for those of you who don’t know where The Gambia is, its in very West Africa, surrounded on 3 sides by Senegal and 1 by the Atlantic Ocean). She reports that Malaria is a very serious problem there…but one that could be controlled if every family there had mosquito netting for their beds. But…while mosquito nets for beds only cost about $10.00, that’s over a months wages there, so they can’t buy netting. (!!!) So she wants to start a campaign to raise money to provide mosquito netting for Gambian families. Here’s where we need your advice: (below)
Does anyone know of any organization (like WHO or CDC) that is already working on providing mosquito netting? If yes, could you give me the names of the organizations, along with any contact info? Or, if not, does anyone have any ideas about how we might be able to start a little organization that would focus solely on purchasing and distributing mosquito netting in the Gambia? Malaria is an awful and deadly illness, and it is a shame that it could be prevented in many cases just by having netting available at night. Seems so simple. Thanks, in advance, for your help!
16 Comments
I posted this over at the Daily Kos too…just hope to get your advice on this. This is when I think about the $300 billion + being spent by Bush on war, and think what little it would take to help so many people…and generate so much good will at the same time. <sigh>….
I would try to find someone on the ground in Gambia. While there are various groups and organizations doing stuff with this (big ones) they don’t seem to be too effective. This is the matter Sharon Stone got to heated up about in whatever international leaders meeting that was, where she got up and demanded action and donations today.
If some group here (or you might also try UK ones) is working directly with a local Gambian group, maybe your wife could coordinate the donations or publicize the need or something.
Good luck, and I hope you keep us informed. I’ll try looking up some stuff too, when I can.
I found something interesting here, which would be another thing for your sister-in-law to look into. Still in the trial stage – testing and studying results, so it will be a while. In the meantime I would agree with Nanette – talk to other organizations and see if you can coordinate. Personally I would try the Peace Corps first, since they are probably the easiest for laymen to communicate with – less red tape. At the very least they might be able to put you in contact with someone who can provide you with more info.
Thank you! I have gotten a lot of good info over at Daily Kos…of course, that diary has already scrolled off the front page…nonetheless, folks there are being quite helpful, giving me some good leads and information, including supporting what you are saying: find people/organizations that are on the ground in The Gambia. We appreciate your support, and I’ll report back on what else we find and what we decide to do. Cheers!
Bob
would be able to point you in the direction of some good sources of netting, and maybe also give you some advice on shipping.
They are an “old hippie” company in California, selling fabric dyeing supplies and white garments and fabrics for about 30 years or so, so they would be the go to people for information on buying fabric cheap, and this sounds like something they might even be interested in helping out with.
here is their website
I bookmarked this…used to drive by that place everyday…
Presumably, your sister-in-law would be looking for large quantities (as in at least several hundred units).
I just accessed a roster available to my organization. On query: ‘mosquito nets’, I got 76 suppliers. I simply picked a few (with good geographic spread – as is BooTrib way). Check these out, maybe they have what you are looking for. (I can get you more if needed).
Hope that can help.
The very best thing will be to work with the World Health Organisation’s Roll Back Malaria Campaign. They will have the ability to bulk buy bed nets at very much cheaper cost than you will be able to. In addition, I believe they are working on long-lasting insecticide treatments for the nets. The ususal ones you buy for camping etc do not work for extended periods and have to be re-treated much more frequently.
That’s great advice.
Another place to take advantage of bulk buying is UNICEF’s Supply Division.
Read about their bed-net campaign in Tanzania (using locally available nets!).
A potential problem; may not be available to individuals – you may have to procure through an NGO (which may have other advantages).
I didn’t know UNICEF HAD a supply division…great information to have…Tanzania program too. Thanks for your suggestions!
Just went and read the Tanzania bednet site, and it has good advice about how they make it work there…would be worth contacting them, to see about replicating that…
Fantastic! Thanks for this info., that’s super helpful.
And the next comment about working with WHO too. Other people have expressed concern about small projects not mixing so well with big organizations…that we should go local…but, no reason why we can’t go towards each, so will check out WHO and have a link already (plus, living in Switzerland, I might be able to talk with someone in Geneva in person). Thanks!!
you might be able to arrange a few used sewing machines to have the nets sewn locally, and finagle your project into a handful of micro-grants and give the grantees their first contract as well…
And the sister-in-law may have (or be able to establish) contact with local NGOs already working in the communities.
One way to start the search is through links from this page.
Prior to that, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) to Abidjan; DCM to Tunis (1998-2001); DCM to Algiers (1996-98); DCM to Nouakchott (1993-96); Deputy Director of Maghreb Affairs (1991-93); INR Political Analyst/Arabian Peninsula (1989-91); Algiers Political Section Chief (1988-89); Kuwait Political Officer (1986-88); Cairo Political Officer (1983-86); Palermo Administrative Officer (1980-82); Tehran Consular Officer (1979). He joined the Foreign Service in 1978.
Mr. Stafford was born in Oklahoma on March 19, 1950. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in 1971, and his masters degree in 1975. His foreign languages are Arabic, French, and Italian. He holds Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards as well as the Award for Valor.
He is married and has one son.
Released on July 13, 2004
Officer Name
AMB Joseph D. Stafford, III
AMB OMS Kevin M. Phillips
DCM Vangala Ram
POL/ECO Daniel M. Renna
CON Elizabeth N. Schwefler
MGT Vacant
CLO Adela Renna
ECO Daniel M. Renna
EEO Matthew Austin
GSO Matthew C. Austin
ICASS Chair Vangala S. Ram
IPO Ross Klinger
RSO Robert B. Kimbrough
State ICASS Kevin M. Phillips
Last Updated: 9/30/2004
Thanks Booman for this contact information…this could indeed be most helpful. Where did you find it? Since my sister-in-law is British, she should know who is at the British Embassy there too.