Malaria Module Released From Youth Service America And Un Foundation To Combat Malaria, The Leading Killer Of Children In Africa
By Christina Wessell
WASHINGTON– (April 21, 2008) – The UN Foundation and Youth Service America have collaborated on a new service-learning module combining malaria prevention, awareness and fundraising.  This resource serves to engage youth on Global Youth Service Day (April 25-27, 2008) and World Malaria Day (April 25, 2008).  Both events fall on the same weekend this year giving young people, parents, and educators an opportunity to engage in service projects that address malaria and its role as a global health crisis.   “By working together on this new module with the UN Foundation, we hope to engage diverse youth in substantive and strategic service-learning initiatives around the critical global issue of malaria,” says Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. “Malaria is preventable, but it infects nearly 500 million people each year and kills more than one million of those who become infected. Using the Malaria Module around the largest service event in the world, Global Youth Service Day, will serve to bring visibility to this humanitarian crisis,” Culbertson adds. The Malaria Module, sponsored by the UN Foundation, is also designed for its Nothing But Nets Netraising Teams and participants work to raise money for bed nets in Africa.  For more information about the Malaria Module, GYSD, and many other service-learning and youth strategy resources, please go to: http://tools.ysa.org/downloads/modules/MalariaModule.pdf. For more information about starting or joining a Netraising Team and getting involved in a NETS Challenge for Global Youth Service Day and World Malaria Day 2008, please go to www.NothingButNets.net and www.YSA.org.   The Nothing But Nets campaign, created by the United Nations Foundation, has raised more than US$18 million in the fight against malaria and at the end of 2007 had delivered more than 700,000 bed nets across various countries in Africa.  More than 60,000 individuals have contributed to the Campaign which is also supported by partners including NBA Cares, the People of the United Methodist Church and Sports Illustrated. A new, interactive game showcasing how insecticide-treated bed nets get delivered in Africa can be found at www.NothingButNets.net. Spanning three days, April 25, 26 and 27, 2008, GYSD involves millions of young people across the world, with the help of mentors, parents, and teachers. Young volunteers will address important community needs through service and service-learning projects addressing climate change, literacy, poverty, human rights, and many other issues. Global Youth Service Day is the largest youth service event in the world. GYSD is a year-round effort to expand the impact of the youth service movement. The initiative launches new service organizations, policy changes, and sustainable service programs to create a culture of engaged youth. State Farm Companies Foundation is the presenting sponsor. More than 125 national partners and 70 lead agencies throughout the United States organize campaigns. Overseas, national lead agencies in more than 100 countries participate. Planning Tool Kits, Service-Learning Curriculum Guides, classroom posters, grants, and more are available for youth, parents, teachers and organizations. For the U.S. Map of Service Projects for GYSD 2008: www.YSA.org/map. # # # About Nothing But Nets Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Inspired by Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, tens of thousands of people have joined the Campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation in 2006. Founding campaign partners include the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, The People of the United Methodist Church, and Sports Illustrated. It only costs $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. Visit www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life. About Youth Service America Youth Service America seeks to improve communities by increasing the number and diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in important roles. Founded in 1986, YSA is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries to expand the impact of the youth service movement with families, communities, schools, corporations, and governments.  For more information: www.YSA.org. Media Contacts:    Christina Wessell Batcheler Youth Service America 202-296-2992 x 128 cbatcheler@ysa.org Amy DiElsi United Nations Foundation 202-419-3230 adielsi@unfoundation.org
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Comments By ian @ Sunday, May 04, 2008 5:15 PM While there are many policy initiatives underway to eradicate malaria, it's always inspiring to see stories of young people and how they are creatively joining the fight to rid the world of this ridiculously preventable disease. Here are two such stories: http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF009D224F00170098EF8D/ and http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF0098989A00170098ED85/ And here is a campaign where young people can find resources to end malaria: http://think.mtv.com/Campaigns/endmalaria/ By Jon @ Friday, June 06, 2008 1:54 PM Ian; Thanks for those stories -- I'm constantly amazed at the creative solutions people can apply to such problems! Post Comment Return