Youth group raising money to fight malaria

Published 2:35 pm Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Sleeping outside is not something many people would want to do this time of year, but some north Jefferson teenagers are doing it on purpose, and for a good cause.

The student ministries group at Fultondale United Methodist Church is taking turns sleeping under a mosquito net at the church campus each night. The teens are taking pledges to raise money for malaria treatments in Africa; the teens say a child dies from Malaria every 45 seconds, and that mosquitos are a notorious carrier of the disease.

“They are seeing that what they are doing has an impact. They are seeing that they can make an immediate difference not just here, but all over the world,” said Ron Gonia, pastor of Fultondale United Methodist Church.

The group is spending 21 consecutive days, ending August 7, sleeping under the mosquito net. Their goal is to raise $1,000, which would buy 100 mosquito nets. Each net is large enough to cover a small room (although the net the students are sleeping under will only fit over a cot).

“A thousand dollars in Africa can do five times what it could do in America,” said Gonia. So far, the teens are about halfway to their goal.

Despite being potentially lethal, the teens said malaria is easily treatable and preventable with the right supplies. The group is raising money through a United Methodist Church program; thanks to a grant that pays for administrative costs, 100 percent of the group’s funds goes to buying the nets.

“I’m doing it because I want to help people. It’s hot out here, but other than that it’s not so bad,” said student ministries member Cody Powers. “It’s helping us to realize that we are actually helping somebody.”

There aren’t 21 members of the youth group, which means most of the teens are sleeping more than one night under the net. Troy Ingram has spent four nights outside so far.

“Education is a big part of it. The families that get the nets have to be taught to sleep under them instead of putting them over their bean crops.”

Gonia said he likes the project because it’s refreshing to turn the focus from local to worldwide for a change. Most of the group’s outreach efforts for the last few months have been related to tornado recovery.

“It’s good that they can spread their wings. It’s an effective witness, because not only are they witnessing in Africa, they are also a testimony to everyone that drives by the church and they’re educating our congregation,” said Gonia. He also said he finds the program refreshing because of its hands-on nature.

To pledge money for the teens efforts, call the church at 841-7461 and ask for Gonia or Darryl Ingram.