Nothing But Nets

Students from Holy Family Catholic Academy in Inverness, Illinois, commemorated World Malaria Day by giving a presentation about malaria and Nothing But Nets to their community. For weeks leading up to April 25, 2008, students were busy following curriculum written specifically about malaria and the Nothing But Nets campaign in preparation for the World Malaria Day event!

Their World Malaria Day presentation included skits by kindergartners dressed as mosquitoes, facts about government and biomes in Africa given by third-graders and fourth-graders, and personal stories about children who have suffered the devastating effects of malaria told by fifth-graders.

The Most Reverend George J. Rassas, Vicar for Vicariate I in the Archdiocese of Chicago, recently presented teens from The St. Anne Catholic Community in Barrington, Illinois with the Youth Leadership Award for their involvement in the Nothing But Nets campaign.

The teens launched the Nothing But Nets campaign in their community by presenting the devastating effects of malaria and the life-saving solutions to an audience of several thousand people. In the following months, the community responded by generously contributing to the Campaign. The presentation included a skit with children dressed like mosquitoes, volunteers sleeping under a bed net, and a resounding challenge to the audience to take part in the Nothing But Nets Campaign!

Nearly 3,000 kids die every day in Africa from malaria! This Halloween these children in the suburbs of Chicago will be trick-or-treating in their mosquito costumes and passing out information about Nothing But Nets. Won't you join them in their efforts to save the lives of children just like them in Africa? Pass out some Nothing But Nets information as you trick-or-treat tonight, and know that as you gather candy you could be saving lives!

At the UIC Pavillion in Chicago, Illinois in early September, the Chicago Sky and the Chicago Catholic Schools were aiming at the same net! Margaret Stender, the President and CEO of the Chicago Sky, introduced Nothing But Nets at the Celebrating Catholic Schools Conference. Speaking to Catholic school Superintendent Nicholas Wolsonovich, principals and teachers, Margaret explained that through the power of the net, they could all save lives.

She explained that for many of their students, whether playing with their hands or their feet, the net is a central beacon, a magnet and a target. Furthermore, she stated it is how teams keep score and declare victory. She asked the audience of 6,000 to be role models and inspire their students to get involved in Nothing But Nets, an accessible and inclusive grassroots effort. She ended by stating “Help us save lives and declare victory.”