The Mosquitero Project will deliver 000+ custom-made insecticidetreated bed-nets to Indigenous communities in Bolivar State,Venezuela

Last year, Venezuela recorded 51,050 malaria infections countrywide. Of these,44,150 occurred in Bolivar State. As of February 16th 2013, 9731 infections havealready been reported in Bolivar, up 1000/0from the same time last year. Thesenumbers tell the story of a malaria epidemic that is out of control.

Mosquitoes that transmit malaria are active at night, infecting people while they sleep.Insecticide-treated bed nets (mosquiteros) offer aproven effective way to combat malaria. Not only dosuch nets create a physical barrier between thesleeper and infected mosquitoes, they can actuallykill mosquitoes that come in direct contact with thetreated netting material. The World HealthOrganization (WHO) identifies the widespread useof insecticide-treated bed nets as the most effectivepreventative measure in the fight against malaria.Bed nets reduceinfections by over 50%and save lives!

Indigenous people of South America who live intraditional villages still sleep in hammocks. Standard bed-nets will not work for them because a simple rectangularnet (made for people who sleep on the beds, cots or onthe ground) cannot accommodate the ropes of thehammock. The Mosquitero Project employs custom madenets that accommodates the hammock's ropes.

The Mosquitero Project is a cooperative effort betweenthe Rotary Club of Key Biscayne and District #6990 and the Rotary Clubs of PuertoOrdaz, Caroni de Puerto Ordaz and Cachamay Nuevas Generaciones (Bolivar State,Venezuela) and their District 4370. Using a TRF Matching Grant, we delivered 1500mosquiteros to indigenous people who live in Bolivar State in October 2012. On July15t 2013 we will apply to TRF for a Global Grant to purchase and distribute no lessthan 5000 more of these life saving mosquiteros in the hardest hit areas of BolivarState. I urge your Rotary Club to join us in the struggle to save lives by contributingas a Club to the Mosquitero Project.

Steve Baker (RC Key Biscayne) canukcanoe@gmail.com 513 3154734Henry Valero (RC Cachamay NG)