Nothing But Nets: Protecting Children From Malaria

The idea sparked from a column in Sports Illustrated but the nets in this campaign aren’t for recreation, they are intended to save lives. Nothing But Nets is a grassroots initiative that raises money to buy insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria transmission in African nations.

How it works (from the site):

Studies show that use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission as much as 90% in areas with high coverage rates. Bed nets prevent malaria transmission by creating a protective barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of transmissions occur. The African malaria mosquitoes generally bite late at night or early morning, between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. A bed net is usually hung above the center of a bed or sleeping space so that it completely covers the sleeping person. A net treated with insecticide offers about twice the protection of an untreated net and can reduce the number of mosquitoes that enter the house and the overall number of mosquitoes in the area.

The nets cost just $10 to be produced, shipped and distributed. Nothing But Nets works with the UN, The Measles Initiative and coordinates with African governments and NGOs to get the bed nets to the communities who need them.

Here’s a YouTube video of Nothing But Nets in action in Africa:

Visit their website to learn more and get involved, Nothing But Nets.