Surround Sound: Senegal

Youssou N'Dour

Free "Xeex Sibiru" Downloads

Get the new malaria awareness song by Youssou NDour!

Main Version mp3
(feat. Yossou NDour, Viviane, Pape Diouf, Souleymane Faye, & Ndeye Marie Gawlo)

Pulaar Version mp3
(feat. About Joubah Deh)

Serere Version mp3
(feat. Mbaye Ndiaye)

The world is mobilizing to providing access to insecticide-treated mosquito nets and effective medicine by the end of 2010…but that’s just the first step. In order for any tool to work, it must be used properly.

To make sure that mosquito nets and medicines are used to their maximum effectiveness—to save lives—families across Africa must be empowered and inspired to protect themselves. To help make this happen, Malaria No More is partnering with Africa's most famous musician and savviest marketer, Youssou NDour. As a long-time malaria activist and Malaria No More Board Member, Youssou is leading a “Surround Sound” campaign to urge every family in Senegal to sleep under a mosquito net and to seek appropriate treatment for malaria.

The campaign will activate key sectors of Senegalese society—including entertainment, sport, faith, local business and government—to deliver the message across the country that no family need suffer from malaria.

See a report-back from Malaria No More Managing Director Kate Campana about the impact of the Surround Sound: Senegal campaign.

Malaria No More's Senegal “Surround Sound” Campaign Will:

  • Work alongside the Senegalese government, which distributed 2 million mosquito nets to children under 5 in late June 2009.
  • Reach the majority of Senegal’s population repeatedly with effective malaria messaging—including through music, print and television—to increase utilization of nets and proper treatment for malaria.
  • Increase national malaria knowledge and awareness in Senegal, supporting the government’s goals to:
    • Bring insecticide-treated net usage up to 85%
    • Provide correct treatment within 24 hours for 95% of malaria cases
    • Ensure that at least 85% of expectant mothers receive the recommended two doses of preventative treatment during pregnancy

How Does the Surround Sound Campaign Work?

Youssou N’Dour
Youssou N’Dour, described by Rolling Stone as “perhaps the most famous singer alive”, is almost as well-known for his humanitarian leadership as he is for his music. Youssou is not only the most popular artist in West Africa, but also one of Senegal’s biggest media owners—he plans to use his personal and professional network to mobilize Senegalese families to fight malaria and make Senegal Africa’s next success story against malaria.  
>>Youssou N’Dour bio

Xeex Sibiru: Malaria Anthem
Youssou recorded a new song "Xeex Sibiru", a song for the campaign in collaboration with fellow artists Souleymane Faye, Pope Diouf, Viviane, Ndèye Mary Ndiaye Gawlo and Mbaye Ndiaye. It tells the story of a young man (Pape Diouf) who gets malaria and misses out on life. The other artists serve as voices of the community who instruct him that he knew better and should have protected himself with a net. The song was recorded in three versions: Wolof, Pulaar, and Serere and will be broadcast nationally and locally through radio and at 1,300 health huts (cases de santés).

>>See MNM’s Martin Edlund working with Youssou’s brother and music producer, Boubacar, on the anthem

Kick-Off Concert
Youssou kicked off the campaign with a concert in Senegal in mid-June to raise awareness about the mosquito net distribution. Check out details and video about the concert!

Dakar Calling
Malaria No More’s Martin Edlund, Program Director for Senegal Surround Sound, is in Senegal to help lead the campaign. Keep up with all the latest news, videos and photos on the campaign at his blog, Dakar Calling!

P.S….In other news, Youssou’s new film, I Bring What I Love, tells Youssou’s story of using music as a powerful tool, in Africa and internationally. Watch the trailer here.

 

Read the Malaria No More "Surround Sound: Senegal" press release