Parts of the project involve educating and equipping the people on the ground.
"When we talk about poverty, about fighting poverty, we need these young people tomorrow," the bishop said. He explained that solar-powered or wind-up radios and community radio stations can help provide education for such youth.
Day added that such radios cost only 30 dollars, and mosquito nets cost only five dollars – an extremely low price to pay to save a life.
"No one, absolutely no one, needs to die of malaria in the world today," said Day.
According to statistics, one million people die of malaria every year and one in five children under five in Africa fall victim to the pandemic. Malaria affects 40 percent of the world’s population and costs the African economy an estimated US$12 billion a year.
The Gates Foundation on Oct. 30 announced the funding of three grants, for a total of US$258.3 million, to fight malaria through the development of an advance vaccine, new drugs for treatment and improved insecticides and other mosquito control methods.
Day, who thanked the Gates Foundation for their efforts, encouraged United Methodists in the U.S. to also take part in fighting the disease.
“We believe that God is calling us, especially those of us who live in the United States to do everything we can to improve the health of those who live in poverty in Africa,” said Day.
A special fund for the United Methodist Community Based Malaria Prevention Program has been established with the denomination's Advance for Christ and His Church, a "second-mile" voluntary giving program. The Advance Special offers a way for United Methodists to participate in the malaria program as individuals or through local churches, districts and conferences. As a mission project, the program touches upon issues of health care, poverty and the needs of children.
UMCOR also has prepared a church bulletin insert on the malaria program that can be downloaded from www.umcor.org by clicking on the resources link.
For more information, visit the United Methodist Church's Web site at www.umc.org.
Elaine Spencer
Christian Today Correspondent
