World Malaria Day marks the unified commemoration of the global effort to provide effective control of malaria throughout the world. Africa malaria is the biggest killer of man, with 75% of deaths occuring in children under the age of five in Sub-Sahara Africa. There are almost one million new cases recorded every year.
According to the World Health Organization half of the world’s population are at risk of malaria. While there are four parasites that can cause malaria in humans, Plasmodium falciparum is by far the most deadly and common, this strain is prevelant in Zambia. Once a person is bitten by a P. falciparum carrying mosquito, the parasite grows, multiplies, and undergoes a series of complex life cycle changes that allow it to invade the immune system and infect the liver and red blood cells. Malaria disease caused by P. falciparum may result in death within hours or a few days of infection especially in those with a low immunity such as children, pregnant women, people with AIDS and travelers with little or no malaria. It can also result in the miscarriage in pregnant women, low birth-weight infants, developmental disabilities and other complications.
The Butterfly Tree provides mosquito nets, malaria testing kits and educational workshops for remote villages, such as Mukuni, in Zambia. The long-lasting insecticide treated nets provide nightly protection, the most vulnerable time is between 10pm and 5am when most bites occur. The result of last year’s distribution of nets is that no new cases of malaria have been reported. Providing malaria testing kits is equally important, though malaria cannot be cured it can easily be treated if caught in time. Education is the key; workshops in the communities teach them the dangers of malaria, the importance of nets and the need to be tested.
‘Change for the Better’
Lillian Mweene from Mukuni Village, having completed her education after being on our orphan sponsorship program, told me she wanted to be a musician. I then listened to her sing and contacted Basement Entertainment UK, who put me in touch with TY2, one of Zambians top male artists. Ty2 called me and offered his help, I suggested that it would be great to have our own charity song. He then met me Livingstone, bringing fellow artist Crystal Shaun and Kaufela from Zambezi Fm to record a song. Lillian was invited to join them, the words were written by the artsits themselves and recorded at Raising Sounds Studio with a bonus track from Lillian. Change for the Better was completed in less than two days. We are grateful to the following who have also donated their services: the artists, Raising Sounds Studio, Zambezi Fm, Hiltongrove Mastering, Basement Entertainment UK, PSW Printers and Xpresscds. No less tha 80% of the sale to be used for The Butterfly Tree Malaria Program, sponsored by Saga Charitable Trust with support from Viking River Cruises. The song is available to purchase, on this website, as a CD for £5 or download for £2 and in shops throughout Zambia from May.
Buy the CD or download via: www.changeforthebetter.bandcamp.com
Please buy this song and save a child’s life
