June 2008

Dear Power of Love Friend:

Thanks to the generosity of several of you, Power of Love Foundation organized a Community Health Education Day on April 25, 2008 in Mbita, Kenya.

More than 7,000 community residents attended the sessions throughout the day and learned about the prevention and cure of Malaria – the second biggest killer in Africa behind HIV/AIDS. No gathering in Africa would ever be complete without singing and dancing – and there was a lot of that as well.

A total of 1,000 children and pregnant women were provided with Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLIN's). This included 881 children under 5 years of age – the population most vulnerable to Malaria. Care givers of girl children were given priority as girls still face discrimination, abuse, and neglect from their parents and relatives. In addition, 119 pregnant women were provided with nets as young girls who are pregnant are at the greatest risk of being infected by Malaria. According to Akado's study, 97% of girls are forced to leave school (especially within the local fishing slums) and end up getting married before they are adults. These young adolescent girls or teen moms are at a high risk of contracting Malaria due to their limited access to health care services.

Through the Annual Community Health Education Day event being held every year since 2005, we have seen an increase in school enrollment in the fall as more kids are healthy and go back to school. Please visit http://www.poweroflove.org/features/malaria_net_project.htm for more information on the Malaria Project. Our goal is to distribute at least 5000 Malaria Nets in 2009. Your generous donation will go a long way in helping POL hit this number and preventing Malaria and saving the lives of children, pregnant teen mothers and women in Kenya.

In the spirit of service,
Power of Love Foundation