Through Queen’s Non-Profit Gateway Program, Kaitlyn and Seth, volunteer in Buy-A-Net Board Leadership process.

AMP represents more than 30 partners, including government, business, faith-based and humanitarian organizations. Its goal is to expand ownership and use of long lasting insecticide treated bed nets, which have been shown to significantly reduce malaria incidence and child mortality.  LLINs, along with timely diagnosis and treatment, indoor residual spraying of homes, and intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women, are an essential component of the malaria control tool box.

 This Christmas won’t you think of Uganda; and Buy-A-Net!

 
It’s a freezing -20 degrees and you would think that the last thing I would have on my mind would be mosquitoes!!!
Any other winter Christmas season that is true except that last August I had the privilege to spend time in Uganda with Buy-a-Net Malaria Prevention Group.

 That experience doesn’t just leave one like the rusty red dirt we shook from our runners as we boarded the plane for home. Indeed the people we met, the work we participated in with community leaders is never far from my thoughts.

Happily our team was able to assist in the village distribution of hundreds of specially treated bed nets while in Uganda.

 This was all made possible through the donations made by you, my fellow Canadians, towards stopping the spread of Malaria one village at a time.

 I saw Mothers and Fathers struggling with the chores of everyday life through their malarial fevers so their children would have clean clothes or food.

 We heard testimonies of families, mothers and their children who told us how grateful they are to Canada for the help that is provided in the form of the net. How Malaria, although still rampant, is lessened for some of their most vulnerable family members because they can now sleep under a medicated net.

 These are the stories that warm your heart but trouble your soul because we are still only able to provide one net per household and the need is so much greater.

It’s cold here in Canada and we won’t be bothered by our seasonal mosquitoes but our Ugandan families, mothers and children do not have the cold for protection.

 They have no protection: except your gift of $6 this Christmas.   My experience with Buy-a-Net working and sharing with our Ugandan partners has written with indelible ink on my soul a story that changes the very lens with which to view the world.

 Malaria still goes on during the Christmas Season in Uganda.   This Christmas think of Uganda and Buy-a-Net!!!

Seasons’ Greetings,

Kathy McPhail
RN, BScN, MHA

At the 5th Annual National Philanthropy Day awards ceremony held in Kingston, Ontario, James Brown, Chairperson, Buy-A-Net, received the Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year award.   James was recognized for his leadership, inspiration and engagement of others with his belief that our global community is stronger if we can work together when supporting important charitable initiatives.

“We are delighted that James is the Chair of our Board,” said Debra Lefebvre.  “James has made a personal commitment to save lives from malaria.  He traveled to Uganda in 2008 and witnessed first hand the devastation caused to families by this killer disease.  He generously gives his energy and resources to make malaria history.  He is the voice of those who don’t have one.  He is a model philanthropist.”

Hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which has 30,000 members worldwide, the luncheon was well attended by local and regional delegates, including Mr. Rob Matheson, Kingston City Councillor, and Mr. John Gerretsen, MPP, Kingston and the Islands, Ontario, Canada.