Malaria is one of the leading causes of child mortality worldwide and over 3,000 children? people? die per day. One million to three million die annually and almost 90% are children under the age of five.,”Marquette's Engineers Without Borders are bringing to light the current malaria epidemic facing Africa with their Drive Against Malaria.

Malaria is one of the leading causes of child mortality worldwide and over 3,000 children? people? die per day. One million to three million die annually and almost 90% are children under the age of five.

"As well it affects the health, the education, and the overall well being of the

young population and greatly hinders the economies of African countries, which

are struggling to develop," said Kathryn Rasmussen, a senior in the College of

Engineering and president of Engineers without Borders.

The purpose of the drive is raise money to provide sub-Saharan Africa with nets. Insecticide-treated nets are used to protect families at night while sleeping, which is the time mosquitoes will most likely bite. When more nets are used within a community the mosquito population will start to decrease, and therefore the rate of infection will decrease.

Although medicine is available nets are the most cost efficient prevention method. The medicine is very costly, difficult to distribute to rural locations, and needs to be taken continuously to be affective. The nets are a way for anyone to make a difference.

Last year the Drive Against Malaria purchased 100 nets for distribution

Angola. David Robertson started the Drive Against Malaria after he was diagnosed

with cerebral malaria in 1988. After his diagnosis he realized there were no

organizations fighting against malaria and in 1997 the Drive Against Malaria was born.

Robertson is the representative who actually

took the nets rose last year to Angola and distributed them throughout the

communities and will be taking the nets we raise this year to sub-Saharan

Africa.

Robertson will drive through unpaved roads to the rural areas to hand out

the nets to anyone in need.

"When I was in Kenya last year I was able to witness firsthand the enormous challenge that the children there face just trying to

make it to the age of ten," Rasmussen said. "It seemed like some of them didn't even know how to smile."

This is an event where any member of the Marquette community can make a contribution and purchase a net. All the proceeds go directly to the purchase of nets and it is a cost-efficient way for any Marquette student to be able to help. The Drive Against Malaria is not a cure for the disease, but it is a way to help give a child a chance at life and a future. Donations started Monday and will be accepted today and Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union.

"The Drive Against Malaria is a way for any Marquette student to save a child's life

by giving a mere $5 toward the purchase of nets," Elizabeth Weasler, a freshman in the College of Engineering and member of Engineers without Borders.

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