SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

Africa Malaria Day activities should be in line with the following recommended objectives:

• Promote children as advocates for malaria control;
• Remind governments of their commitments and obligations to the Abuja targets;
• Encourage collaborations at all levels (e.g., Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses and Malaria, etc.);
• Foster popular education, building on the knowledge that people have on malaria to address issues that are relevant to them in controlling the disease;
• Advocate for policies and strategies that promote the early recognition of symptoms and treatment of malaria for all, especially in children;
• Lobby government and other partners for provision of affordable ITNs for the vulnerable groups.

Planned activities should highlight the plight of children with respect to the disease and celebrate preventable and curative methods that assist in protecting their future. These activities could include:

• Demonstration of use and re-treatment of ITNs;
• Distribution of pre-packaged anti-malarial drugs;
• Specific singing, drama, dancing, drawing, writing (etc.) activities organized in classrooms, local communities, and nationwide;
• Poster and essay competitions with winning submissions showcased at national or local community centers;
• Hands for Malaria (paper cut-outs of each child’s palm, featuring a fact or statement about malaria and linked together to create a chain for display);
• Poetry reading or oratorical recitals that allow children to share their thoughts on malaria prevention and treatment;
• Collaborate with local celebrities such as musicians and host a Malaria Control Concert;
• Schedule meetings with ministers and opinion leaders, and have an open forum that engages children and adults in discussions about malaria;
• Encourage role reversal in schools (teachers become pupils and students become teachers); this platform will give children the opportunity to share their knowledge of malaria);
• Race for Malaria (have a marathon (road race) held nationally or in local communities (encouraging children to participate with adults);
• Engage street children and orphans in various community activities as they are often overlooked;
• Coordinate with local media and create radio/TV programs that will allow children to participate and advocate for malaria control;
• Malaria Free Zone Competitions (highlight and reward communities that are engaged in malaria prevention activities;
• Community group discussions to encourage sharing of culturally appropriate knowledge about the causes and treatment of malaria;
• Production and distribution of relevant communication packages targeted at community members such as opinion leaders and caregivers;
• Encourage the formation of Malaria Clubs in schools, which could then receive malaria-related literature.