I have previously been raising money for mosquito nets with the campaign “Nothing but Nets” through JCI and the UN. Making malaria extinct is one of the millennium goals and mosquito nets are an efficient way to limit this fatal disease.
When I learned that the children at the orphanage were sleeping without mosquito nets and that they occasionally are infected by malaria, it was an obvious decision to buy them nets.
Through Nothing but Nets, one net costs USD 10 including transportation and education on how to use the nets. I figured that I would be able to get the nets cheaper when I was already in Uganda and that I could do the teaching myself.
The boys’ bedroom. One bed has an old mosquito net.
Robert thought it was an excellent idea so we went to a market in Kampala to find some nets. It was not that easy, actually. The first store only had the kind of nets used for bulk beds and not the round ones that we needed for most of the beds. I bought two for the two bulk beds they have. And the search continued. I wouldn’t accept any compromise regarding quality so many of the options offered were disregarded. Someone even came with nets in pink and purple with the text “Dream home” or something like that, claiming they were treated. Not likely. If it doesn’t say on the package that they are treated, they are probably not.
After some discussions and going between different vendors, we finally had the mosquito nets we needed. And I had paid USD 4-7 each. Perfect!
While at it, I asked if they needed something else. Of course they did. So while we were at it, we bought some new plates and cups as well. It was a bit tricky to squeeze ourselves and all the things into one of the minibuses but it was so worth it.
When we were back in Kawanda, Ritah told the children about the purchases and they got incredibly happy. I sometimes have difficulties handling all the gratefulness and this was one of these times. Around 20 children kneeling and taking my hands while I just feel that I’ve done the natural thing to do.
As the nets shouldn’t be used within the first 24 hours after opening the packages we had to wait before we could put them up. Once it was time, we had a great teamwork of three. And the feeling when the nets were up was extremely satisfying. All the kids came into the bedroom and had a look and thanked me again.
“No mosquitos are gonna bite our kids again!” said Ritah. And I sure hope so.
Dream and Do 