Nothing but Nets

This initiative draws on the power of partnership - as well as the appeal of sports - to address a global health issue at the local level. It was inspired by a member of the media - Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly - who urged action through a special column on malaria. The campaign's name, in fact, plays on the dual meanings of the word "net" - a term familiar to those who play sports as well as to those who are seeking to address the problem of malaria (e.g., through the use of insecticide-treated bednets). In June 2007, Nothing But Nets hosted a series of events in Washington, DC, the United States (US), to raise awareness about malaria that featured Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) President Donna Orender and Washington Mystics President Sheila Johnson speaking in support of the WNBA's partnership with Nothing But Nets. Congressman Donald M. Payne spoke about the importance of bringing the public, government, and private sectors together to fight malaria.

In essence, the campaign is designed to encourage people to donate US$10, which will be used to purchase nets, distribute them to families, and provide education on the proper use of the net. While the end result of the campaign is oriented around raising funds, there is a strong theme of awareness-raising, and the core strategy is community participation. A key tool for spurring this engagement is the interactive Nothing But Nets website, which features resources on malaria to educate people, as well as toolkits that would-be campaigners can download to help raise awareness and organise events. Among the materials available for download are posters, flyers, media advisories, and letters to the editor; ideas for distributing these materials, which feature photographs and simple messages such as "malaria kills more than a million kids every year", are also shared here. In short, the idea, in the words of organisers, is that "Nothing But Nets is powered by your passion; it works because you do! Create a community for your church, school, team, or family and friends. Together, you can spread the word, raise funds, and share your stories."

To cite one example of a grassroots effort inspired by the campaign, a 12-year old student at a middle school in the United States read Reilly's column, and was motivated to write a letter to one of his teachers indicating that he wanted to find a way to involve his classmates in the effort. A fellow student designed tee-shirts - gray, navy blue and gold shirts bearing small hands, balls and a basketball goal - which sold for US$10 each. Subsequently, the school's coaches decided to hold a game between the eighth-grade volleyball team and several athletic faculty and administrators; the funds from ticket sales for the game were to be sent to Nothing But Nets. An eighth-grader created the posters that hung around the school advertising the game: "Kids need to start thinking about the outside world," he said.

Religious organisations have played a key role in engaging people in this effort. For example, young people associated with the United Methodist Church (UMC) were invited to take part in a fund-raising contest for Nothing But Nets, the prize consisting of a paid trip for 3 youth and adult companions to the United Nations in New York. Winners of this essay contest will have an opportunity to participate in a trip to Africa to deliver the nets. Also as part of this UMC "Youth 2007" effort, young leaders have been invited to participate in Malaria Advocacy Boot Camp that will offer "a comprehensive background on malaria" and feature direct immersion in the global fight against malaria. Participants will "learn about malaria from experts and special guests and then brainstorm ways to rid the world of the disease. Boot Camp participants will be encouraged to host at least one event in their community to raise awareness about malaria."

To cite a few examples of the ways in which this campaign is drawing on information and communication technologies (ICTs), a dedicated page on the UMC website features information about the-above described events, as well as access to resources such as a kit (including a DVD with video, guidelines, posters, sermon starters, and a "Buzzkill" tee-shirt. (A word play on the sound a mosquito makes when it is biting, "Buzzkill" represents an effort to help spread the word about malaria and the lives it is taking, in part through an interactive blog that encourages the sharing of videos and experiences related to malaria and malaria awareness.) UMC has also been using text message updates to mobilise youth and other ministries in the church to become aware of the campaign and the issues that motivated its creation.

Children, Health.

According to organisers, approximately 500 million people each year are infected with malaria, and more than one million of those die. In Africa, malaria accounts for 20% of all childhood deaths.

Nothing But Nets works with the Measles Initiative to purchase the nets, transport them to Africa, and distribute them to families. The Measles Initiative is a long-term effort to control measles deaths; it has delivered more than 200 million vaccinations and other health services in sub-Saharan Africa. The Measles Initiative partners include the American Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the United Nations Foundation.