Send a Net, Save A Life

When thinking about the Millennium Development Goals, it's easy for me to feel overwhelmed. Our global problems are so great, how can we ever make a difference? While doing some research on some of the United Nations' sites, I came across the concept of a Quick Win. A Quick Win is an action with a high potential of success that can be immediately implemented. I love the concept because it empowers individuals and helps us realize that we can make a difference in the world. With that in mind, I did a little research to find a Quick Win.

One of the Millennium Development goals is to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Malaria is a very serious problem, it is a leading killer of children in Africa, accounting for 20 percent of all childhood deaths. Every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies from malaria. A simple bed net can prevent malaria transmission by 50 percent by stopping mosquitoes from biting during the night, when they are most active, and by killing mosquitoes who land on it. Just $10 can buy and deliver a bed net and protect a family for four years.

It is easy to make an online donation of a malaria net on Nothing But Nets . The site has much more information about malaria, how it is prevented, where your donations are used, and how you can help. Within a couple of minutes, you can donate a net and save a family! Of course, if you are inspired to do more, you can donate more nets or form a group to protect a whole village. There are also several other organizations with similar campaigns.

The Millennium Development Goals are achievable, and individuals can make a difference. We can take small actions which have real, measurable results. One action here can help in a very real way a family in Africa and protect the lives of children and families.


Millennium Development Goals