Friday, April 24, 2009

For the price of a coke or a smoke you could...help people stop dying from a ridiculously preventable disease

I've been in Senegal for over a year now and I haven't asked for any money from you all, my generous family and friends, the entire time.  Well, that was fun while it lasted but all good things must come to and end.  

AgainstMalaria.com has agreed to sponsor Peace Corps Senegal for 6,500 bednets.  On Monday I got the exciting news that my village gets to be a part of this distribution!  So, with the help of AgainstMalaria.com's generous price-matching program, we are getting mosquito nets at the bargain price of $2 each.  My village needs 138 mosquito nets, which means that I am responsible for raising $276.  And that's where you all come in.

Did you know that nearly 3,000 children die every day in Africa from malaria? Three thousand kids! That's a 9/11 every day!  How much money would it take to stop a preventable 9/11 from happening every day in Africa?  I think I can safely say that it's way more money than you or I or anyone we know has.  But if all of you can get behind this cause and give what you can to it, the aggregate amount and its effect will be significant.  Nets are a simple, life saving solution, but we need your help to provide them to those in need.  $2 to buy, distribute, and educate...so little to save a life, and you can help.  

You can donate directly at www.AgainstMalaria.com/AmberPatterson

If you all can help me raise the $276 for my village, there are other volunteers who could use your help, too.  We are all grouped together and you can make a general donation at www.AgainstMalaria.com/PCVs6500.

Thank you in advance for your help!