Clinton Foundation and Malaria No More Donate Nets to the

UNCLAS GABORONE 000323 DEPT FOR OES/PCI, OES/ETC, OES/FO, OES/ENV DEPT FOR AF/S, AF/EPS AND EEB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ECON EAID AO BC SUBJECT: Clinton Foundation and Malaria No More Donate Nets to the Okavango District REF: Gaborone 320 ¶1. This message is a revision of reftel. ¶2. Summary: The village of Gumare in the Okavango District in North West, Botswana was buzzing with excitement on February 14, 2009, when most people in the village converged at the Kgotla to launch and celebrate the generous donation of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) donated by Malaria No More and the Clinton Foundation. The nets were handed over to the community on behalf of Malaria No More and the Clinton Foundation by Regional Environment and Health Officer (REHO) Anthony Woods, who left a lasting impression on the villagers of Gumare when he gave part of his speech in the local language of Setswana. End Summary. REHO Officiates at the Handover Ceremony -------------- ¶3. The village of Gumare in the Okavango District was buzzing with excitement on February 14, 2009 when most people in the village converged at the Kgotla (the village central meeting place) to launch and celebrate the generous donation of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) donated by Malaria No More and the Clinton Foundation. The event was officiated by the Regional Environment and Health Officer (REHO) Anthony Woods, who left a lasting impression on the villagers of Gumare when he gave part of his speech in local language of Setswana. Attendees included Kgosi (Chief) Seidisa, Councilor Nkwane, Senior Assistant Council Secretary Mr. Elijah Mouti, Unicef Program Officer Ms Mercy Puso, and Principal Medical Officer Dr. Bob Wafuana. The theme of the ceremony was "Interceptor Bed Nets- Powerful Double protection: Use It." In his remarks, the REHO informed the village that the Government of Botswana and the Clinton Foundation have embarked on an ambitious and critical public health project. Ambitious, because it aims to improve the ownership and usage of treated LLINs in the Okavango District, and to increase the coverage from the current low levels to a high percentage in order to cover the entire population of Gumare; and not only women and children, but the elderly too. Malaria No More -------------- ¶4. REHO informed the gathering that Malaria No More is a non-profit making nongovernmental organization based in the United States. It was established in December 2006 by two respected business leaders of News Corporation President and Chief Operations Officer Peter Chernin and Wall Street pioneer Ray Chambers who had a simple and startling insight: ending malaria's deaths grip on Africa, and that this would be the best humanitarian investment they can make in the world. Chernin and Chambers believe that these nests (LLIN) are one of the most effective tools available to prevent malaria deaths. They reportedly said that "based on the experience of our organization and other international organizations and ministries of health in numerous other countries, we strongly believe that the quickest and most effective way to achieve high nets coverage is via a massive door-to-door distribution of free nets. We, therefore, wish to provide assistance to your malaria programs planned project in the Okavango sub district. Malaria No More is pleased to offer the Republic of Botswana a donation of 32,000 interceptor brand rectangular nets (LLIN) and to pay for the shipment of these nets to the Okavango District." Clinton Foundation's Role -------------- ¶5. The Clinton Foundation team provided training in the village going house to house educating people on malaria through the use of peer educators. They plan to monitor the distribution of the nets in the village, which will be provided free of charge. Family members will be assisted in hanging the nets and provided with education on signs and symptoms of malaria. The Ditlamorago Drama Group provided entertainment, which left members of the public waiting in happy anticipation for the nets that are going to be provided to them in their homes. Role of the Community -------------- ¶6. While in Gumare, the REHO met with students and headmaster of the Okavango Community Junior Secondary school, which has formed an IT club that will be working in the village to educate the community on malaria. The students informed the REHO team that their intention is to ensure that no person dies from a preventable disease like malaria in their district. In December, 2008, the Embassy's Public Affairs Office donated computers, which the students will use to access the internet, especially for research on malaria in order to share the information with their community and district as a whole. Nolan