Bednet Distribution October 2010

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Keep up the great work!

Letter From Uganda

Below is a letter NETwork received from Stella Matutina secondary school in Uganda. The students and faculty of this girls' boarding school received nets in the October 2010 distribution. I thank you also for your support!

Dear friends,

Greetings from Stella Matutina Secondary School.

Stella Matutina is a girls' secondary school in Katulikire Holy Family Parish,Hoima Catholic diocese, Uganda.

A few days ago we received bed nets from your organisation through our parish priest Rev. Fr. Francis Banura. 315 girls( between the ages of 12-19yrs) and 27 staff members received the bed nets.

This effort will go along way in the fight against malaria. We believe as these girls are protected, they in turn will become the ambassodors of this noble struggle you are making. More so when they are healthy they will concentrate more in their studies.

On behalf of the school, I sincerely thank you for this great struggle and promise you our prayers.God bless you abundantly.

Sr. Josephine Acan

Head teacher

Stella Matutina Secondary School.

Boundary Waters

You know how many times I’ve heard “This will change your life!” and do you know how many times its happened. Yeah, I’ve done things that I’ll remember for life or that have changed my day, but do you know how often something truly changes your life?

Usually the things that change your life aren’t the one that are forwarded that way. “This is going to change your life,” was not how most of the most important things to me began.

One of the only youth leaders who has never told me that is my Venture Crew leader. He tells me things will be fun or I’ll learn a lot, but he avoids the cheesy cliché that automatically lowers a truly amazing experience a few notches.

Two years ago, I went on a trip with my Venture Crew to the Boundary Waters. We spent ten days canoeing, camping, cooking out, talking, and relaxing in northern Minnesota. We had adventures, close calls, and lots of great times, and in the end it did change the way I view my life.

I walked away sure I could survive ten days without facebook, e-mail, phones, ipods, or electricity. I knew that I was self reliant enough to get by, and I understood how much I really treasure nature and great people.

Distribution Day

August 2^nd, 2010. I woke up like any other morning. Showered. Brushed my teeth. Fixed my hair. Checked the mirror and headed off. To anyone else, August 2^nd 2010 would seem pretty darn ordinary but to me and my fellow NETwork supporters, it was the culmination of months of hard work. On August 2^nd 2010, 1,000 nets were distributed deep in the Ugandan bush.

1,000 nets. 1,000 nets that would protect 3,000 lives.

I sat amongst people at a conference who had never heard of NETwork Against Malaria or the village receiving nets. I sat beside them and listened to their conversations. I sat hoping someone would ask what was new so I could scream out what was going on thousands of miles away. And I sat wondering what else was going on in these strangers lives on August 2^nd 2010.

I sat wondering if any of them were having a completely normal day. I wondered if someone had something exciting they were dying to share. I wondered if August 3^rd would be as significant to someone as August 2^nd had been to me.

I suppose, there is no such thing as an ordinary day. It is the start, the end, the tragedy, the celebration, the hope, the despair, the promise for someone, somewhere. I suppose there is nothing so under- marveled than a sunrise and a sunset.

NETwork’s Impact

I know Network is having an impact from watching the distribution videos on the website. It is amazing to see the Ugandan NETwork representatives in the schools teaching the students about malaria, the nets, and how to use them. How powerful is it that these men and women are speaking to the children in their native languages about malaria. There is hope in the voices of the adults and hope in the eyes of the children. I am proud to be part of this.

Check this one out!