Students in a Nebraska Wesleyan University Advantage Program class have donated money to purchase mosquito nets that will protect children in Africa.
The class, “Women’s Health: Global Perspective" — is taught by Linda Hardy and focuses on women’s health issues throughout the world. In the course, students gain perspectives by reading two international books and viewing several documentaries, one of which fueled the idea behind their donation.
“After watching the documentary Rx for Survival, the students began to discuss how little other countries have compared to our own,” said Hardy. “The class wanted to find a way to help.”
In Africa, mosquito nets can dramatically decrease occurrences of malaria. Although malaria can be treated, many children die before the treatment, said Hardy.
Through UNICEF, three mosquito nets can be purchased for $18. Each mosquito net can cover at least one mother and three to four children while they sleep. Eighteen NWU students donated $117, allowing them to purchase eighteen mosquito nets and provide a $5 donation.
Hardy hopes to bring in more speakers to address both regional and global health problems. This UNICEF donation was one of the first service projects for the women’s health class and was brought about by the students’ willingness to help.