Students in a Nebraska Wesleyan University Advantage Program class have donated money to purchase mosquito nets that will protect children in Africa.
The class, 鈥淲omen鈥檚 Health: Global Perspective" 鈥 is taught by Linda Hardy and focuses on women鈥檚 health issues throughout the world. In the course, students gain perspectives by reading two international books and viewing several documentaries, one of which fueled the idea behind their donation.
鈥淎fter watching the documentary Rx for Survival, the students began to discuss how little other countries have compared to our own,鈥 said Hardy. 鈥淭he class wanted to find a way to help.鈥
In Africa, mosquito nets can dramatically decrease occurrences of malaria. Although malaria can be treated, many children die before the treatment, said Hardy.
Through UNICEF, three mosquito nets can be purchased for $18. Each mosquito net can cover at least one mother and three to four children while they sleep. Eighteen SM论坛 students donated $117, allowing them to purchase eighteen mosquito nets and provide a $5 donation.
Hardy hopes to bring in more speakers to address both regional and global health problems. This UNICEF donation was one of the first service projects for the women鈥檚 health class and was brought about by the students鈥 willingness to help.