NetsforLife was launched in Angola at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Kilamba Kiaxi in Luanda on February 22, 2007. The celebration was attended by Vice-minister of Health, Dr José Van-Dúnem, H.E. Cynthia G. Efird, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Angola, Timothy Ziemer, Coordinator of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), Dom André Soares, Bishop of the Anglican Church in Angola, and Dr. Steven Phillips, Global Director of health for ExxonMobil Corporation.
Numerous speeches were made in support of NetsforLife in Angola. The program will distribute 66,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets in the Uige and Cunene provinces by the end of December 2007. The program targets the most vulnerable populations—pregnant women, children under five years old, the elderly and the immunocompromised. Admiral Ziemer spoke passionately about the need to involve churches in the fight against malaria. Ambassador Efird talked about the need for partnership. Zeya Uddin, General Manager of Coca-Cola Angola, confirmed the company’s commitment to investing in health in the communities where they work. St. Stephen’s Choir set a celebratory atmosphere for the launch.
In Tamale, located in the Northern Region of Ghana, over 1,000 people gathered outside the Standard Chartered Bank in a procession launching NetsforLife on February 28, 2007. Placards, banners and a 15-person brass band started the celebration.
The launch was attended by community health workers from the Anglican Diocesan Development Organization (ADDRO), NetsforLife local partner agency in Ghana. Volunteers, priests, children, the Mothers Union, students, elders and choirs traveled from as far away as Bolgatanga to lend their support for the launch of this vital malaria prevention program.
Alex Mold, Executive Director of Standard Chartered Bank in Ghana, led the procession with Dean Jacob, Executive Director of ADDRO. Speeches were made by the Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Arongo, Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Tamale, the Honarable Alhaji Idris, the Northern Regional Minister, and Dr. Elias Sorry, Minister of Health, who all spoke enthusiastically in support of NetsforLife.
