Nothing But Nets

Lagos, Nigeria January 23, 2007

The Nothing But Nets team left early this morning with WHO and NBA Legend Sam Perkins, to meet with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Federal Roll Back Malaria Officers. During that time they held a press conference with journalists from around Nigeria to inform them of the extreme state of malaria and the upcoming immunization campaign that will include the distribution of mosquito nets. These journalists are vital to the process because they inform the public about how and where to receive their vaccines and nets through radio, print and television. Thanks to the popularity of the National Basketball Association, a higher than normal group of media turned out for the press conference. I think they were as amazed as us to know all the work that goes into getting the nets to the communities. The nets are just one part of the solution. It takes a huge team to get them all the way to the communities and hung!

That afternoon we went to a Local Government Area called Ebeju Lekki. While on the way I received an email from Don Underwood of the United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. He informed me that his congregation had sent a check to Nothing But Nets for $10,000. After just sitting through a depressing briefing of the dire need for nets in Nigeria, (only 6% of the population is covered) this was welcome and uplifting news.

When we arrived in the Ibejue Lekki we came across a meeting of community health workers being trained on how to give proper immunizations and, in addition, hand out Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets. They were also being taught how to educate community members on the proper use and ways to hang the nets. Sam and I talked with them about the importance of the nets and thanked them for their work. They couldn’t believe that you all care enough about their need for nets. They said, “Eshe Oibo” (Thank You!) to all of you.

From their, we went to the village of Oshoroko, one hour outside of Lagos. This village received your nets in the last integrated campaign in October of 2006. Sam met with the Chief of the village, we then went house to house observing the use of the nets. The best part of the day was when a group of school girls put on a dance and sang a song about malaria. Sam jumped right out there to dance along side of them. One little girl just stopped dancing and stared up at his six feet tall figure with huge eyes. Probably because earlier he laughed with the kids and joked, “If you don’t use your nets I will stomp on you.”

We learned a lot from the people of Oshoroko about how they prevent malaria. Sam observed that they are using their nets but need to be further educated on what causes malaria and the importance of prevention. After purchasing a net, the last portion of your $10 donation goes to the distribution system and training of community health workers. Today was another example of how the nets are just a part of this important system.