Frequently Asked Questions

What are bed nets?

Bed nets offer a primary wall of defense against the mosquito. Mosquitoes bite 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 approximately $5.50 USD.

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

While malaria is a primary focus on Buy-a-Net’s mission, the program has expanded to include the prevention and treatment of other leading killer diseases of mothers and children, such as pneumonia and diarrhea.  Donations contribute to our community-based, life saving program with:

• purchase of a net
• shipping and distribution to families
• training volunteers in Africa on disease prevention and control, basic hygiene, need for early treatment with fever
• disease prevention education that ensures families hang and properly use the net
• general office administration both in Canada and Uganda
• other life-saving initiatives to help communities become stronger and more resilient in the face of killer disease and illness, such as procurement and distribution of anti-malaria medications, antibiotics, and intermittent preventive therapy for pregnant women.

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. You may also contact our office at 613-542-1264. Requests are reviewed as they are presented. We generally coordinate volunteer experiences in the summer and fall. All volunteers are required to fund their own costs.

What can I do to help?

It’s easy. You may help through making a donation, organizing a fundraising event, or selling beads and beaded jewelry at your event. You may also purchase the beads or jewelry for yourself! Buy-a-Net purchases the beads made by Ugandan women which directly tackles poverty through the support of sustainable employment. Then the proceeds from the beads and jewelry allow Buy-a-Net to reinvest in disease prevention and control programs for needy women and their children in Uganda. It’s the gift that just keeps on giving. 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 disease, especially 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 tackle disease, and they need our help. The Ugandan government recently acknowledged the importance of community health workers and village health teams in the fight against poverty and disease. Community workers are a critical part of the model of disease prevention at Buy-a-Net. 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, which is registered in Uganda, as well. 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, advocacy and fundraising tools, and loose beads or beaded jewelry shipped to me?

Yes. All 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.