Mobilizing Faiths into Action:  Join Us in the Fight Against Malaria and Preventable Disease

Faiths Act 

Faiths Act is a multi-faith global movement that mobilizes people of faith to take action towards the UN Millennium Development Goals. Although religion and faith can be used to create division and conflict, they can be a powerful means to address global issues. Faiths Act specifically focuses on eliminating deaths from malaria & changing the narrative on religion to demonstrate how faith a force for good in the world.



For half the world, a simple mosquito bite can have deadly consequences:  Every year, malaria, kills approximately 655,000 people, mostly pregnant women and children under the age of five.  We can stop this.  Malaria is entirely preventable and treatable and since 2000, deaths from the disease have been reduced by up to 33% in sub-Saharan Africa – however, there is still much to do.



34 Faiths Act Fellows from the US, Canada, India, the UK and Sierra Leone are building partnerships across faith lines in their local communities and encouraging people to work together to end malaria deaths by 2015.  Last year, Faiths Act inspired hundreds of faith communities to raise awareness and funds to combat malaria, educated 40,000 people about global health, and raised over $300,000.

ONE  


ONE is a grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support smart and effective policies and programs that are saving lives, helping to put kids in school and improving futures. Co-founded by Bono and other campaigners, ONE is nonpartisan and works closely with African activists and policy makers.



What’s the Connection?


ONE is partnering with Faiths Act to mobilize faith communities, volunteers, and supporters of ONE to join the fight against malaria and preventable disease, whether by creating awareness in their community, raising their voice and advocating on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable, or donating to the Faiths Act project in Sierra Leone.



Where Funds Raised Go?


In Sierra Leone, malaria kills 33% of children under 5.  In December 2010, the government distributed life-saving bed nets throughout the country, but most people did not know how to use them or how to treat a sick child when they have malaria.  Sierra Leone is a country with only 126 medical practitioners in a population of over 6 million, however there are thousands of religious leaders already living and working in the communities needing care.



The Tony Blair Faith Foundation is working with the Ministry of Health, Interreligious Council, and Christian Health Association of Sierra Leone to mobilize faith leaders to reach out and train people in their local communities as malaria faith champions.  Just $10 buys one bed net, protects up to three children, and also provides the education necessary for proper use through household training on malaria prevention, recognition, and treatment.  Their goal is to reach over 100,000 homes by June 2012 and as of March, have reached over 77,000! 

More info?

Join the global movement to save lives from malaria and keep these numbers dropping. Every little bit helps.  And if you’re in the DC area and want to see what we’re up to in the nation’s capitol, feel free to e-mail and drop us a line!  We’d love to hear from you!

For more information, check out the Faiths Act website: www.faithsact.org

Twitter: @FaithsActUS // @adeelatajdar // @carolynworthge 

Email us: Atajdar@one.org // CWorthge@one.org

Adeela Tajdar and Carolyn Worthge
Faiths Act Fellows