We're Saving Lives

More than 18 million people have benefited from NetsforLife® to date.

Making a Difference in the Fight Against Malaria

In its first phase of implementation (2006-2008), NetsforLife®:

• Reached more than 2.1 million people in 15 countries
• Distributed more than one million nets
• Trained 6,000 community volunteers

NetsforLife® met these objectives ahead of schedule and under budget.

Saving Lives

“Before NetsforLife® came to this area, community members used to wake me up in the middle of the night at least four times every month to baptize and anoint a sick child—only to bury him or her the next day. Since the program started, such midnight calls have ceased … NetsforLife® is saving lives.”

– Fr. James Okwonga | Mugarusya Parish, Uganda

Creating Lasting Change in Africa

Country evaluations were conducted in 2008. Data was collected and compared with previously gathered baseline data in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The evaluation was designed to determine the extent to which NetsforLife® had improved knowledge, changed perceptions and attitudes towards malaria and instilled a “net culture” in the communities served by the program.  Monitoring and evaluation was initiated in all countries and is independently verified.

At the time of the evaluation, 5,992 community volunteers had been trained in 15 countries, reaching more than two million people and distributing more than one million nets.

The following preliminary evaluation results demonstrate the record of achievement of the NetsforLife® initiative.

• The ability of caregivers to identify malaria symptoms in children rose from 58% to 84% across all countries. In some countries, the increase was profound. For example, in Angola, this awareness increased from 13% to 63%.
• Knowledge about malaria transmission increased from 50% to 82% overall. In Angola, awareness increased from 11% to 78%, while in Kenya it went from 50% to 94%.
• Awareness about Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) as an effective treatment for malaria rose from 18% to 42% overall. The awareness increased in Angola from 2% to 88% and in Burundi from 2% to 62%.
• Household use of insecticide-treated nets by children and pregnant women increased dramatically in all countries. For both groups combined, usage increased from 12% to 88%. In Angola, use went from 3% to 87%. In Kenya, it went from 12% to 80%.

Looking Forward

In Phase 2, NetsforLife® will deliver seven million more nets and provide training in a total of 17 countries.