Local Voices Sing Loud

Kate Campana, Managing Director of Impact Programs, authored a blog post for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The following is an excerpt from the post.

“It’s 10 o’clock—do you know where your children are?” This is a refrain many of us have known since childhood, a constant message to promote good parenting that has become a staple of U.S. culture. A world away, a nightly message is helping African parents keep their children safe from malaria.

As the fight against malaria keeps up its momentum with remarkable leadership from all sectors of African society, the power of local voices in spurring a social movement is unmistakable.

In the U.S., malaria awareness focuses largely on building advocates for the cause and fundraising for malaria control interventions, like mosquito nets. In Africa, the effort works to ensure that families are using tools regularly to help save lives.

A new program, NightWatch—developed in partnership with Malaria No More, Lalela Project, Youssou Ndour and some of Africa’s top stars in music and sports features more than 20 African icons delivering a nightly message: “It’s 9pm—are you and your family safe under a mosquito net tonight?” This nightly reminder reaches families across the country through television, radio and SMS.

The program…