Frequently Asked Questions

What are bed nets?

Bed nets offer a primary wall of defense against the mosquito. The mosquito bites primarily at night while people sleep. People sleep under the bed nets. The nets prevent the bite of an infected mosquito, and can kill a mosquito when it lands on the net. One net can protect up to a family of four, and if used properly can last up to three years.

How do the nets get to the villages?

Nets are supplied to our Ugandan community based partners once picked up at the warehouse in Kampala, Uganda.  The nets are manufactured by Vestergaard-Frandsen (the world leader in net manufacturing).

How much does a long-lasting insecticide-treated bed net cost?

The bed nets cost $5.10 usd. The price remains constant but what we pay depends on the strength of the US dollar.

Where does money donated to Buy-A-Net go?

All monies raised go directly to get the net over the heads of families. The $6.00 covers the cost of the net, advocacy and education activities and costs, and administration such as office rent and telephone. While the focus of BUY-A-NET is community-based prevention of malaria, treatment of the disease must still be provided.  The cost of a course of treatment for a child is approximately $3.00, and for an adult, $5.00. For more detailed information please visit the “Financial Statements” section

Can I go to Uganda?

BUY-A-NET has an infrastructure in place in Uganda. If you are interested in helping, please send your resume to gail@buyanet.ca. Requests are reviewed as they are presented. We generally coordinate “voluntours” in the summer and fall.   All volunteers are required to fund their own costs.

What can I do to help?

It’s easy. Please visit the “How to Help“ section in our website.

Is Buy-A-Net a religious organization?

No. We are all-inclusive in our efforts.  We partner with many difference agencies, including faith based groups, schools, and other community based organizations.

Why is it so difficult to control malaria?

It is difficult to control malaria because it is endemic to sub-tropical climates and geographical locations. Also, there is a lot of standing and stagnant water in many villages. Many people are completely isolated and have no outside influences to educate and inform them about malaria and how to prevent it. At BUY-A-NET, we provide education on malaria, net use and care, and environmental issues that can help to control the mosquito population.

What is the Ugandan government doing to fight malaria?

The Ugandan government is part of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative which is supported by the World Health Organization. The government is working to educate and support their people with various programs. They have limited resources to join in on the fight against malaria, and they need our help. For further information, we suggest you visit the WHO and Ugandan government websites.

Who makes decisions at Buy-A-Net (BAN)?

BAN is a Canadian registered charitable organization. BAN has a very active volunteer Board of Directors made up of Canadian and Ugandan men and women who set policy and operational guidelines. Program application decisions take place with our community partners in each district of net distribution.

Can I get DVDs shipped to me?

Yes. All DVDs and resource materials are available to you.  If planning a fundraising event, shipping times are coordinated at the time of your event registration with our office, in order to arrive on time for you to use.