ERD is reducing the spread of malaria in the communities of Luapula and Kapoto through a partnership with the Anglican Church in Zambia. In those communities, ERD is distributing insecticide-treated nets, supplying effective drug therapy, and educating families on malaria prevention. The program trains community health workers to teach prevention to more children and families.

Twenty-three year old Mercy Mwansa lives with her two year old son Johannes in the peri-urban community of Chibuluma. Johannes is the youngest of three children, and Mercy believes she may be pregnant again.  Mercy has brought him to the Chibuluma clinic, one of the pilot sites of ERD’s malaria program, because she suspects his high fever may be a sign of malaria.

This will be his second bout of malaria in his two years of life.  Fortunately, the Chibuluma clinic is equipped with a laboratory where he is able to have his blood drawn and diagnosed.  Johannes is diagnosed with malaria and is prescribed Coartem, a drug effective in treating non-resistant strains of the disease.

Health workers give Mercy an insecticide-treated net and show her how to use it properly.  Pregnant women and children under five are the most vulnerable to the disease; so she and her children are at an increased risk.  Mercy is taught to recognize malaria symptoms, shown how to administer the medicine, and instructed in how to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in or near her home.  The community malaria action team will follow up with her and make sure she and the children are sleeping under the insecticide-treated net.

The photos on the left show the third graduating class of orphans and vulnerable children from the Mary Sikaneta Demonstration Preschool, in Kitwe.  Urban Kitwe has the highest rates of AIDS infection in the country.  The school has been doing groundbreaking work with AIDS orphans who attend school there to protect them from realities like neglect, malnutrition, and child labor.

Through this program, ERD addresses the education and nutrition of orphans and vulnerable children.  It also works with the parents and caregivers to identify ways they can increase their income and provides skills training.  This ensures basic needs such as food, shelter, school fees and uniforms will be provided for these children in the future.