USA (MNN) — Last week two major events took place that will help save lives for those who face the threat of contracting malaria every day. Compassion International is calling
it the "Plague of the Poor," and they're doing something about it.
Music was a life-saver last week at a concert for Gospel Music Association Music Week. With the help of Rebecca St. James, a Christian music artist, $6,000 dollars was raised in one offering at the event.
That money went into the Malaria Intervention Fund which will allow Compassion International to provide mosquito nets, insecticide for homes, education on malaria prevention, and medical care for those already infected with malaria. Through their work, they seek to help children become healthy Christian adults by sharing Christ's love in all they do. By relieving physical ailments, they can more effectively present the Gospel.
The small bite of a mosquito causes at least one million deaths from malaria every year. As many as 75 percent of those are children under the age of five, especially in sub-Sahara Africa. Death aside, almost everyone in Africa has a malaria episode at least once a year. It causes fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and general pain and can even cause comas or brain damage.
St. James is also hosting a 30-minute radio special called "Malaria: Plague of the Poor." It describes the disease and its effects and how Compassion International is helping.
April 25 was World Malaria Day, a day to highlight the successes and challenges in the fight against the preventable disease. Find out five things you can do to help this
cause.
