Celebrating the fight against malaria

April 5, 2010

Today, Burundi marked the launch of its malaria campaign with singing, dancing and the magnificant beats from their drums. A commencement event was organized by the Burundi Red Cross to celebrate this important campaign.

The event was held in the province of Bubanza in an area called Mpanda. When we arrived there were a sea of Red Cross volunteers and about a hundred people.

A distribution table was set up in one area of the event grounds and an example net was set up. The event began when the Vice President of Burundi, Gabriel Ntisezerana, arrived. He gave a brief demonstration on how to properly hang a net and provided nets to a few young mothers. He then made his way to the other area for speeches.

Traditional drummers welcomed him and the crowd. Their magnicant beats, combined with their smiles, helped maintain the overall positive tone of the event.

My Canadian Red Cross colleague told me that Burundi drummers are among the best in all of Africa. After hearing them today, I have no doubt that it is true. They entertained the crowd and provided rhythm for traditional dancers.

A group of actors performed two skits toward the end of the event. The first was the story of a young mother who learned the importance of her net. The second was a demonstration of how the distribution process works -- that people will exchange their vouchers for nets. It was an entertaining way to provide important malaria information.

I saw many young mothers at the event, happily waiting to receive their nets. "Generally, I think nets are really important, but not everyone is fortunate enough to own one," said Alice Ndacayisaba, a mother who attended the event with her 2-month-old baby. "I think this is very good."

Over 521,000 nets will be distributed in three provinces at more than 130 distribution points. According to the Secretary General of the Burundi Red Cross, because one net can protect up to two people, the campaign will reach around one million people.