When we were in Kampala back in February, we visited an AIDS hospital that is funded in part by Compassion. After a short information session about the work the hospital does, our guide (his name was Damon, and he was seventeen different kinds of BONAFIDE AWESOME) escorted us to a lovely outdoor cafeteria so we could visit with some of the hospital staff.
Shaw-awn and I sat next to one of the hospital’s doctors, and after a few minutes of pleasantries, I asked him if it was frustrating to be a physician in Uganda. Much to my surprise, his eyes filled with tears. And he nodded.
“It’s tough,” he said, “because our children die from preventable diseases. AIDS is preventable. Malaria is preventable. But our people don’t have access to medicine. They don’t have access to mosquito nets. Mosquito nets are so inexpensive, and they can save children’s lives. But there aren’t enough to go around.”
I looked at Shaun, then looked at Spence, and I said, “Is there something we can do about that? Is there something Compassion can do about that?”
“Absolutely,” Spence said. “We’re working on something right now.”
And that something is called Bite Back.
This Friday, April 25, is World Malaria Day. And through the Bite Back campaign, people can give a one-time donation of $10 and provide a mosquito net for a child – or a family, if they’re all sleeping in the same place – who otherwise would have no protection from this completely preventable disease. That $10 will also provide education and treatment for people who are already sick with malaria.
My sweet friend Anne has challenged her readers to donate 50 nets in 50 hours. And I’m totally going to follow her lead here at BooMama: The Blawg. Remember, this is a one-time donation, not a long-term commitment.
So here’s how you can help.
Click here to donate $10 that will provide a mosquito net for a child (you can donate more than that if you feel led). Each net lasts three years, so for $3.33 a year – less than a penny a day – you can save a child’s life.
And if you just can’t spare $10 right now but still want to help, then link to this post from your blog. Help to get the word out and encourage your readers to give. Here’s the banner code.
Here’s a smaller button if you’d rather have that for your sidebar.
And whether you donate or you link, please come back here and leave a comment so that I can thank you on behalf of the sweet children you’re helping. All you have to say is “I’m in.”
However, you’re certainly welcome to say more than that. Because, after all, I’m not very strong with the brevity.
50 nets in 50 hours. WE CAN TOTALLY DO THIS.
I’ll close comments at 9 pm central Friday night.
Thanks so much, y’all.
Comments are now closed – thank you SO MUCH!
I’m in!
I’m in!
I’m in! What a wonderful challenge.
I’m in!!
I’m in. What a difference such a small amount can make.
I’m in!
i linked to boomama, hope it helps. and i so want to be witty and funny so boomama will like me. but i don’t have time for that. so, i’m gonna pull out the big guns – i’m not sure why, but it’s really important that boomama like me – and i think maybe the love boomama has for compassion might translate or transfer or trans-something into like for the spouse of a compassion employee. and i’m sure i’ve scared you.
I’m in!
I linked to you, Boo Mama. I will be praying that it helps, and that they get all the nets they need. :-)
Im in!!!
I’m in!
We’re in over here. Thank you for opening our eyes to Compassion. My kidlets picked out two children to sponsor and they’ve been praying for them faithfully.
I’m in!
I’m all in Sophie.
I donated five. Do you know how we can make sure that our sponsored Compassion children have nets?
I’m in
I’m definitely in! Thank you for making it so easy for us to support such a wonderful endeavor!
i’m going to haiti in 2 weeks and i’m going to post this on my blog for everyone to see as they check in on our haiti trip. thanks for the tip! (i’m in) :)
I’m in — 5 nets worth!
I’m in. Thanks for making us aware of this.
Hey Boo, I linked you and Bite Back on my blog…
J
Done!
I’m in for both! I already made my donation and posted.
It amazes me how so little to us can make such a big difference to others.
Blessings.
I put the link on my blog too!
I put up the button tonight, will donate tomorrow when I’m closer to my purse. Incidentally the button gets cut-off on my Blogger sidebar (right side). It says, “Bite Bacl,” but I think the point is still made. Thought you might want to shrink the button a little in case it’s doing that for others.
Which is to say:
“I’m i”
M
Done! I also posted the banner in my sidebar, and wrote a post directing people over here.
Thanks so much for spreading the word on this!
I’m in times 5. Adding the link to my blog too.
I am in for two nets. The least I could do. Thank you for keeping this kind of thing out there for us to see!
I’m in!
In!!!
I’m in!
I’m in!
Oh, I am so in!
Hello from Portland, Oregon! I work for Compassion so thanks for the tout! You know about the Malaria Intervention Webcast tomorrow, yeah?
http://blog.compassion.com/malaria-intervention-webcast/
Take care and thanks again!
I’m in, linked, and got my first letter from my second sponsored child yesterday!
I linked to you!
I’m in! Posted and linked, my friend. ;-)
Linked up and done!
I’m in – for three!
Thanks for the opportunity.
I’m in and I linked back over here. Thanks for making us all aware of this!
I’m in! I’ll attempt to link :)
I’m in
I’m in!! Thanks for this great opportunity!
I’m in. And there’s a link on my blog, too.
I’m in! Thanks for doing this, you rock! :)
I’m in. And I don’t think you’re going to need 50 hours…
I’M IN!!
I’m in, and I posted the link and your banner on my blog as well. Thanks!!
I’m in!
I’m in!
I am in and I also linked to it myself!! Thanks for the info!
I’m in…..and let us know what you NET, pun intended!!! ;)
I’m in!
Linked!!
I’m in!
I linked and I’m in!
I’m in for 5 nets. Thanks so much for letting us know!!!
BooMama…50 in 50 hours? Honestly, where’s the faith?! where’s the challenge?! I think the BooMama readers are going to rise above and beyond the challenge and knock your socks off…I just bought six.
In for 3!
I’m in!
I’m in for two!! Thanks for all you are doing for these children.
In for 5!!
Thanks for making it easy for us to get involved!!
Okay. Maybe I underestimated. IMAGINE THAT. We’re already at 77 by my very rough calculations. So let’s shoot for 100. And when we hit that we’ll shoot for more. I’m all about protecting some young’uns from some ‘skeeters.
And thank y’all – SO, SO MUCH.
I’m going to go cry now.
I’m in!
Linking and giving! What a great thing.
I’m in!
Best money I’ve spent all week! Thanks for bringing this dire need to our attention. God bless!
I’ve never commented before, but I love your blog…and I’M IN! =)
I put the link up…Hope you double what you’re asking!!!
Donna
This is ridiculous easy! I’m on it Boo!
Thanks for spreading the word!!!
I’m in! And I’m hoping some of my blog readers will be too…
Thanks for making us aware!
I’m in!!
I’m in! And I’ve challenged my friends to give $10 also. If they can’t give, I’ve asked them to at least forward the project on to others as their way of contributing. Thanks for bring this opportunity to my attention!
Hey Sophie,
This is my first time to post, but I’ve been lurking for awhile. How can you not get involved in something so great like this? I’m in for 2 nets!
Linda
I’m in to for 5! Best money I have spent all week. Feels so good.
Hey!
Put Living in Grace readers down for 11 so far! Woohoo!!!
I’m in for one net!! Wow, this is really cool. Sometimes I think the problem seems too big to tackle, but having something this practical is just awesome. Thanks, Boomama!!
I’m in. Thanks for the information and for the chance to help.
i’m in, and i also added the link to my blog. thanks for making us aware of this!
Totally in!
I’m in for 3.
I’m in.
I am all over this! I purchased some nets and did a post myself, linking to you.
I’m in.
I am so linking to this.
I’m in.
I.AM.TOTALLY.IN.FOR.SURE!!! :)
I’m in too!!!
I’m in!
Julie
I’m in for 3!
Thank you for keeping us aware of these kinds of opportunities to help the little nippers.
Just did it! : )
Sorry I forgot to post yesterday…I’m in. Thanks for the link and the great idea!
We are in. My hubby got malaria when he served as a missionary to Tanzania for almost 2 years. We understand the intensity of this disease. Thank you for promoting this!
I’m in and I put it up on my site too. ‘Cause you know Satan created mosquitos. They are evil just like him.
I’m in. Did I miss it?? Where do we pay the $10..
i’m in – threw you and the Bite Back button on my sidebar. great work you do here.
Yup. Linked on my blog. Love this. Can’t wait to see how many nets are bought.
I added it to my site. Hope it helps!
Kasey
i’m in!
I’m in X5!
Bless your heart BooMama!