Half the world affected by treatable, preventable disease

© Henrik Larsson - Fotolia.com

Imagine an African continent where children under 5 and pregnant mothers were not severely threatened by death because of malaria? Where a child did not die every 60 seconds from this disease and job creation at a grassroots level was continual, not seasonal.

Goodbye Malaria has protected more than 120 000 people in Mozambique's Boane province by spraying more than 35,000 homes, reducing malaria in this area by 67%.

It has the partners, the people and the passion to make a (real) difference. Our many friends, heroes and partners provide the funding, resources and strategic direction so we can stand strong together to say, "Goodbye Malaria" in as many colourful languages and by as many engaging means to rid us finally of malaria.

Buy a bracelet

The campaign started the week with the launch of its new website and online shop and on Wednesday, MiCasa - Goodbye Malaria Brand Ambassador represented by J'Something - raced against the clock (and the Gogos from Noluthando 1 Senior Citizens Club) at the 'Beading for Malaria Challenge'. In 24 minutes (representing 24 hours in the daily fight against malaria), 899 bracelets were beaded. The sale of these bracelets will fund the spraying of 1 797 homes and potentially protect 5 391 lives.

Thursday saw the release of brand Ambassador Kingsley Holgate's inspiring YouTube video on World Malaria Day. Kingsley has had malaria 50 times. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, another Goodbye Malaria brand ambassador, is a tireless malaria warrior, Princess of Africa and deeply committed to Africa and the Goodbye Malaria Program.

Make a difference

Goodbye Malaria's online shop sells Shweshwe lounge pants, Mashozi bears and bracelets proudly made by Africans - the proceeds directly fund Goodbye Malaria's proven elimination spray programme. "The Shwe Shwe Pants come in five Afrocentric colours and sell for R350 each - they're the perfect gift and can be purchased online," says Robert Brozin, founder of both Goodbye Malaria and Nando's. "You are also invited to join us this weekend in Fourways, Jo'burg for the launch of the Ingénuité store in Montecasino, which will sell our Shweshwe pants so you too can save a life in your sleep."

For more information, go to www.goodbyemalaria.com