Nets for Life: Sierra Leone Launch Report
Nets for Life (NfL) received a tremendous boost when it was successfully launched on October 10, 2009 in Bo, Sierra Leone, by the Honourable Minister of Health, Sheku Tejan Koroma.
The event was preceded by a procession of the congregation of the Anglican Diocese of Bo from the Church office grounds to the Bo District council Hall, where the main event was held. The formal launching ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Bo City, the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Board – Bo District, Mr. Tamimu Kallon, the Anglican Bishop of Bo Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Tucker, the Acting Paramount Chief of Bo District, Chief Festus Foray, the Chief Executive Officer Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone, Albert Saltson and a very large crowd of about 1500 people, including students, pupils, staff of SCB, Customers of SCB, the Anglican Church, the Education Service and Anglican Diocesan Congregation members of the general public.
The speeches by all the VIPs centered on malaria prevention. The entertainment platform on which the launch was based also allowed for a good mix of cultural dancing and a live band show.
The event climaxed with a float parade through the main streets of the Bo Township and the procession attracted thousands of people along the route who heard our call to Stop Malaria in Sierra Leone. The float train moved from Bo city on to Dambala village, some 20 miles of Bo and distributed the long Lasting treated Bed nets to 2000 people in the deprived community, which according to the research of the Anglican Diocese, had been neglected by the national Malaria Control Programme in receiving malaria education and prevention materials.
The media engagement has been very high in the print, TV and radio. So far, the values have gone above USD13000 with more expected because of a few interviews and coverage of other NfL activities lined up.
Through the NetsforLife launch our community partnership efforts has strengthened our relationship with the Government of Sierra Leone and enhanced our profile in the eyes of the general public following the extensive media coverage.