It was a brutally hot day in Kampala, but there was joy and hope in the Acholi Quarter when BeadforLife distributed insecticide treated mosquito nets to the beaders in our group as well as 136 community members.

In the Acholi Quarter, we constantly hear from beaders whose children are suffering from malaria. It is also not uncommon for the beaders themselves to be suffering from malaria, with high fever and chills. Yet they drag themselves out of bed in order to sell beads to be able to afford the treatment.

When we announced our intention to make mosquito nets available, the beaders were ecstatic, shouting and ululating wildly. In keeping with our philosophy that we like to empower people to help themselves rather than giving handouts, BeadforLife subsidized half of the costs of the nets, and traded the other half (about $3) for beads.

We also opened up our distribution to other members of the community who make beads. In all, over 1200 people living in 226 families have benefited from the mosquito nets.

Many beaders, after receiving their nets, said, "No more malaria in my house!" The women hurried home to hang their nets over their beds and the sleeping spaces of their children. The nets selected for distribution, purchased from local net-makers, are long lasting pre-treated nets in which the insecticide lasts for four years.

Now that beaders have nets, they can spend less time and money caring for sick family members, and more time ensuring that they can survive and thrive.

Distributing the Mosquito Nets