- Z
- S
Friends and Family,
Please support our efforts by donating to our cause!
During the summer of 2014 we had the opportunity to travel to West Africa, and here is our story. We arrived to our host family located in Tamale, a small, poor, underdeveloped town located in Ghana. Most of the people there live in cement huts with very few basic necessities. Being passionate to make a difference, we volunteered at the local hospital and taught at the village school. We were shocked at the lack of quality healthcare and resources available. One thing that stood out most was the high incidence of childhood malaria.
Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by the mosquito that infects the host with a parasite once bitten. Once infected, medications are available but they are very costly. Coming from the U.S, we were pretreated with anti- malaria pills and purchased bed nets to protect us at night. Most of the villagers slept without any protection. Because money is so scarce, protection against the potentially fatal disease was not a priority.
Since our return from Ghana, Alyssa is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Nursing and Ryan is finishing his Masters of Public Health at Nova Southeastern University. We are now serving as Global Health Fellows through the International Health Initiative. IHI is a non- governmental organization that helps promote public health projects worldwide. With the guidance of our mentor, Dr. Cyril Blavo, we have started a public health project called Malaria Outreach Project (MOP-Tamale). The mission of the project is to reduce the incidence of Malaria among vulnerable populations through effective utilization of bed nets. By raising funds we will be able to provide insectide-treated bed nets to many of the people living in the Wulanyilli village. Each bed net can protect up to 2-3 children living in one space. 1 insectide protected bed net costs approximately $10. With your generous donation we hope to purchase 250 bed nets by the end of 2015.
With deepest gratitude and thanks,
Alyssa Kosh and Ryan Rosen
Please support our efforts by donating to our cause!
During the summer of 2014 we had the opportunity to travel to West Africa, and here is our story. We arrived to our host family located in Tamale, a small, poor, underdeveloped town located in Ghana. Most of the people there live in cement huts with very few basic necessities. Being passionate to make a difference, we volunteered at the local hospital and taught at the village school. We were shocked at the lack of quality healthcare and resources available. One thing that stood out most was the high incidence of childhood malaria.
Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by the mosquito that infects the host with a parasite once bitten. Once infected, medications are available but they are very costly. Coming from the U.S, we were pretreated with anti- malaria pills and purchased bed nets to protect us at night. Most of the villagers slept without any protection. Because money is so scarce, protection against the potentially fatal disease was not a priority.
Since our return from Ghana, Alyssa is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Nursing and Ryan is finishing his Masters of Public Health at Nova Southeastern University. We are now serving as Global Health Fellows through the International Health Initiative. IHI is a non- governmental organization that helps promote public health projects worldwide. With the guidance of our mentor, Dr. Cyril Blavo, we have started a public health project called Malaria Outreach Project (MOP-Tamale). The mission of the project is to reduce the incidence of Malaria among vulnerable populations through effective utilization of bed nets. By raising funds we will be able to provide insectide-treated bed nets to many of the people living in the Wulanyilli village. Each bed net can protect up to 2-3 children living in one space. 1 insectide protected bed net costs approximately $10. With your generous donation we hope to purchase 250 bed nets by the end of 2015.
With deepest gratitude and thanks,
Alyssa Kosh and Ryan Rosen