One of the players in my soccer side opened my eyes to this initiative and I thought it would be something cool for my blog. I am all about the community and helping people, so this was pretty much right up my alley! In the run-up to World Malaria Day on 25 April 2012, the South African division of the global partnership, United Against Malaria (UAM), is intensifying fundraising efforts to purchase life-saving mosquito nets and reduce malaria deaths to zero.
Malaria threatens half the world’s population and claims 655 000 lives each year. 90% of those are in Africa, where a child dies from malaria every minute. The disease also stunts productivity and economic growth, further contributing to the cycle of poverty.
In 2010 UAM joined forces with Relate; a South African non-profit social enterprise that creates and sells beaded cause bracelets in order to uplift lives. Together, they developed a signature UAM supporters’ bracelet, which has become a globally recognised symbol of winning the fight against malaria. To date, close on 500 000 UAM bracelets have been sold, raising funds not only for malaria prevention in sub-Saharan Africa, but through Relate, also creating employment, developing skills and generating income for the hundreds of people who made them.
How We Can Do Our Bit For UAM
Relate co-founder, Lauren Gillis, believes that ending malaria deaths requires both public and corporate support. In this spirit, South African retailer Cape Union Mart joined Relate and UAM as a partner to meet the objective of selling a further 50 000 UAM bracelets by World Malaria Day.
UAM bracelets are available at all Cape Union Mart stores and retail for R30. The income generated from bracelet sales will be used to buy more life-saving mosquito nets and to create further opportunities for the Relate beaders. If you have Twitter it would be awesome if you include a #UAM Tweet or two over the next week to help raise awareness about this awesome initiative!
To purchase a UAM bracelet online [click here] it is only R30 and it is going to a great cause!!!
