Field Story: NIRP Uganda has offered the children, parents and community volunteers leadership skills and the knowledge needed to make healthy choices.


By helping to control malaria rates, the mosquito nets are seen as one of the tools through which the community can increase children’s participation in school activities and improve daily attendance. “Malaria prevents us from achieving our goals at school. We have been falling sick so often at home and did not understand why,” said James Lubega, an orphan from Mukungwe Village. “But this changed as we continuously got involved in NIRP malaria prevention programmes where we were able to learn what is malaria, its symptoms, the effects and how it can be prevented.”

Maria Nakitto, a widow left with twins, was happy to receive the mosquito nets. “I have already lost one child due to malaria,” she said. “When the twins were born, I was worried because I thought they would also die due to the high rate of malaria in my home. But with nets, and the knowledge we have learnt from NIRP Uganda programmes, I will be able to live a healthy life with my children.”

According to Segawa Ivan, Area Councillor in Buwunga subcounty, malaria is a disease that can be avoided through community sensitization on the importance of clearing the bushes around homes, destroying stagnant water reservoirs and ensuring that each family obtains a mosquito net.

“NIRP Uganda has given us the knowledge on how to prevent malaria, and we are happy for the mosquito nets support,” said Ivan. “The challenge remains with us to apply the knowledge we have been given and make our community one in which it is safe for families to live.” The malaria prevention programme needs to reach more villages for a full impact to realised. 
You can support our work online :http://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/4436-ease-the-pain-of-people-living-with-hiv-and-aids