Each day in Africa as many people die from malaria as were killed in the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001.

For children, the effects of malaria are dramatic. An African child dies every 30 seconds of severe malaria. Children under age five who survive often experience brain damage or learning disabilities. In fact, the impact of malaria to families and communities across generations is devastating.

To prevent and mitigate these effects in communities in Kenya, MAP International is working to build a program deploying best practices in rapid diagnosis and early treatment of malaria along with distribution of insecticide-treated bednets and source control strategies to prevent further infection.

Working among the Massai in a community of 20,000 people along the Rift Valley in Kenya’s Kajaido District, MAP’s malaria prevention program trains community health workers in the rapid diagnosis and treatment protocols for malaria. This ensures that people with the disease receive compassionate care and attention. MAP also provides caring health workers with the first line essential medicines needed to treat malaria in their community and insecticide treated bednets to expecting mothers and families with young children who otherwise cannot afford them.

MAP is also working with the community to eliminate breeding grounds for the parasites which cause malaria. Known as vector control, MAP is teaching community health workers how to identify and protect safe water sources from the parasites which cause malaria through improved hygiene and sanitation practices.

Since MAP began this program in 2005, there have been an estimated 3,000 fewer cases of malaria in Esonura. MAP has also helped the communities establish village health committees and has helped train community health workers to serve in these roles.

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