UNICEF Ireland and Fyffes recently launched a cool art competition for primary school children. Children all over the country were invited to design a poster that tells the story of malaria and how it can be prevented. With over 500 entries our judges really had their work cut out for them! The standard this year was higher than ever! Visit our website to see the winning poster!.
And the winner is:
Lateefa Hamzat, a 12 year old primary school student from Westmeath was awarded first place with her colourful entry to the Fyffes supporting UNICEF ‘Saved by the Net’ primary schools poster competition.
Malaria remains the biggest health problem and is the principal killer of children in Mozambique, Africa. Through the distribution of mosquito nets and the support of health facilities and community projects Fyffes supporting UNICEF Ireland has:
- Saved the lives of over 11,400 children under the age of five between 2008 and 2011
- Prevented over 200,000 cases of malaria
- Sent 50,000 nets directly to vulnerable families in Mozambique
Every year an estimated 1 million people die from malaria. Children under the age of five are the most vulnerable and in Sub-Saharan Africa a child dies needlessly from malaria every 40 seconds. Mosquito nets are the single most effective means of preventing malaria infections.
It costs just €14 to provide a family with enough mosquito nets to keep their children safe at night; and they last for five years.