Miracles are unfolding everyday on the continent of Africa. In just a few short years, United Methodists, through the Imagine No Malaria Initiative, and in partnership with other organizations, have helped cut the impact of malaria nearly in half. In 2007, the World Health Organization estimated there were more than 1,000,000 malaria-related fatalities. This number has been reduced to around 594,000. While that is still a staggering number, a nearly 50% increase in life is worth celebrating. And, we can do more!
A reality still remains that in 2015, 89 percent of all new cases and 91 percent of malaria deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa.* Children under the age of 5 account for more than two-thirds of all deaths related to malaria. Sleeping under an insecticide-treated bednet can reduce a child’s risk of malaria infection by 20 percent. And, we can do more!
Through your efforts in the North Carolina Conference, 78,500 persons have been spared the suffering, and possible death, from malaria. Through the creativity and the passion of United Methodists in eastern North Carolina, bed nets and medication have helped calm the fears of mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, in Africa. Health staffs have been trained and health facilities have been renovated and updated. And, we can do more!
New and updated resources are available to help educate and energize your congregation to finish strong as a partner with other congregations to reach the conference goal of $1 million for Imagine No Malaria by the end of 2015.
Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for upcoming news and announcements. Also, tell us how your church is committing to eradicate malaria. Comment below with your Imagine No Malaria ideas and stories.
$1 million equals 100,000 lives saved! Through God, we can do more!
God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3: 20-21 NIV)
*Statistics from UNICEF website.