Mother and Daughter at the XICS Center

Peace Corps Volunteer Jet Richardson (26, from Richland, WA) was on-hand at a recent distribution of mosquito nets at the FC Barcelona Foundation XICS Center in Richard Toll, Senegal. These nets were made possible thanks to the partnership between Malaria No More and FC Barcelona. This is Jet’s story about the day:

“In places like Richard Toll and other towns situated along rivers and wetlands, mosquitoes are a particular problem and Malaria is always an issue, not just during the rainy season.  Richard Toll is often overlooked because as a community it is too large to achieve 100% bed-net coverage.  But that does not mean nets are not needed. 

“On distribution day the FC Barcelona facilities looked like a small carnival complete with canopies and the smell of food in the air.  Everyone was clearly excited.  I have spoken with my host family on numerous occasions about the importance of Malaria prevention through the use of mosquito nets.  For the most part people here know why mosquito nets are important but very few have access to the nets, and those that do often need to be educated.  That is why Malaria No More’s involvement in the fight against Malaria is so important: for access and education.
 
“For me, perhaps one of the most impactful aspects of the net distribution occurred in the days following.  Many of FC Barcelona’s youth recipients are Talibe children.  Talibe is the Arabic word for disciple.  These boys are the poorest of the poor in Senegal.  They are learning lessons of humility and they live away from their families in communities of countless boys called Darahs ranging in ages from 5 to 20.  Their entire day is devoted to the study of the Koran – they receive no other formal education.  One such Darah was the recipient of around 150 mosquito nets.  The day after the primary distribution I went along to the Darah.  The kids there were the most enthusiastic I had seen through out this entire process. 

“I was honored to be witness to such small yet very meaningful act of generosity.”

Malaria No More is so grateful to Jet and his fellow Peace Corps Volunteers in Senegal who are helping us tell the story of the fight against malaria in Africa!

Categories:Africa, On-The-Ground, Partners, Soccer vs. Malaria