Nets Work – The Big Push to Hit the Target

In Derry and Raphoe we are well on the way to reaching our target of buying 25,000 Mosquito Nets for Nigeria.

In our yearlong Nets Work diocesan project we are working to save up to 40,000 lives. people have really grasped the vision of saving lives by making Nets Work. The project has inspired everything from Fashion Shows, 5-Aside Football Tournaments to Pantomimes, special collections and Christmas Gift Cards – all part of the effort to raise enough funds to buy 20,000 mosquito nets.

Mosquito nets are a surprisingly effective weapon in the fight against malaria. The mosquito (the female – is the one that passes malaria and is silent, unlike the male) normally bites between 10pm and 5am. When people sleep under mosquito nets it protects them during the most vulnerable time of the day.

In one area where a project to distribute mosquito nets took place the death rate from malaria fell by 67%. The World Health Organisation estimates that there were 216 million cases of malaria in 2010 resulting in 655,000 deaths. This is equivalent to roughly 2000 deaths every day.

A net costs around £5 / €6 but for a family who spend more than 90% of their income on food this is an expense they cannot afford. Sadly, in many rural communities having a fever is just a way of life so this project also educates communities on how that fever is caused and how it can be prevented.

Nets Work is a joint diocesan initiative with Bishops’ Appeal and Christian Aid. Christian Aid’s partner (Anglican Diocesan Development Services) will distribute the mosquito nets. Bishops Appeal is a Church of Ireland of Ireland body that channels funds through development agencies and partner churches who are already in place in areas of need. Nets Work is a way for the diocese to mark the 40th anniversary of Bishops’ Appeal.

Our goal is to buy 20,000 nets - your donation will help us get there and save lives.