World Malaria Day celebrated with support from Rotary

Buk bilong Pikinini (BbP) has marked World Malaria Day with awareness events at all Library Learning Centres across PNG. It is vital for children to learn how to protect themselves from this preventable and devastating disease which affects millions of people in PNG.

Big red mosquitoes, had been created by students and teachers and were buzzing at all BbP’s Library Learning Centres as a reminder of where Malaria comes from.

BbP received the donation of awareness materials from Rotarians Against Malaria organised by the Rotary Club of Port Moresby. All children enrolled in BbP’s Early Childhood Education program has received a coloring-in booklet to take home, which provides students with information about prevention and treatment. BbP’s teachers received flip-charts with detailed information, which will be used as part of the organisation’s awareness program.

Thanks to sponsorship support from the Rotary Club of Boroko, with a grant of K3,000 - BbP will also be able to distribute mosquito nets to vulnerable families and to continue to support the children with awareness.

A majority of the children enrolled in BbP’s have themselves had Malaria but have perhaps never quite understood where this disease comes from and how to avoid it. Early Childhood Education gives the children a chance to set healthy hygiene practices from a young age and can share their knowledge with their family. BbP is grateful for the support from Rotary to assist with spreading correct information about the prevention of the disease while we all wait for the vaccine to come. No child should have to die from this disease.

Joselito Tubon, President of the Rotary Club of Boroko and Operations Manager at CHM said: “It is our pleasure to be part of BbP’s World Malaria Day activities. I trust that Rotary Club of Boroko’s little contribution in creating Malaria awareness to the kids would give more value to the development of the kids in the community. I enjoyed playing with the kids and sharing some thoughts about Malaria awareness.”