In 2016, there were 216 million malaria cases that led to 440,000 deaths. Of these about two thirds (290,000) were children under five years of age.

For my MSc graduation project I have been working on a project aimed to help fight against the spread of malaria by mosquitoes in Africa. In this project I have been designing and testing methods of trapping Anopheles mosquitoes.

The aim of the project is to design a trap suitable for use in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. Unable to travel to Africa during the scope of this project I have sought the help of others to gain insights into the situation in which these people live.

Buluke voluntarily runs an orphanage in Uganda. He and 4 colleagues look after 35 children at the orphanage and they have been helping me out! I have been learning a lot from Buluke and the little guys about what it means to live with the increasing threat from malaria. The children have been learning about malaria, mosquitoes and more importantly - how they can protect themselves from mosquito bites and prevent the transmission of the parasite. Buluke has been teaching the kids and local people about mosquitoes and how to try and protect themselves.They are performing little experiments for me with simple bottle traps and having lots of fun catching mosquitoes!

Unfortunately over the time we have been working together one of the kids, Stephen, contracted the malarial parasite and became ill. Luckily he was able to receive treatment and is on the mend.... but the virus will stay with him for the rest of his life. Living with the threat of malaria is very real in this part of the world and people need to be able to protect themselves.

Bed nets are an essential component to protection against mosquitoes. Using bed nets reduces night time biting, when the Anopheles mosquitoes are most active. There are only a couple of bed nets in the orphanage protecting the youngest and most vulnerable children at night.

In return for all the knowledge and support Buluke and the guys have given me, I hope to raise money to provide 40 bed nets to the orphanage to help them protect themselves from potentially fatal mosquito bites and get a better chance in life! Any donation is much appreciated!