What’s the Buzz?

$10.00 to WTB? fully funds an insecticide treated mosquito net and the public health initiative to instruct the recipient on its proper use.

The vision for the What’s the Buzz? (WTB?) malaria prevention program was given in October 2008. At that time, God’s Economy was actively engaged in serving and equipping the ministry needs of its Malawian partners: St. Gabriel’s Hospital, Partners in Hope, and Somebody Cares. When each partner was approached about its need for mosquito nets in the fight to prevent malaria infection, the responses were unanimous. Each partner said it could use thousands of nets!

At the first meeting of future teen WTB? advocates, student representatives from four schools in the Baltimore, Maryland area caught the vision and stepped forward to commit to do WTB? fund-raising activities at their schools. In Spring 2009 Bryn Mawr School, Gilman School, Garrison Forest School, and Loyola Blakefield held WTB? events on their campuses. God’s Economy donors donated tee-shirts with WTB? logos. The teens used the tee-shirts to mount campaigns, “Give a net; get a tee!” 

Each school’s WTB? representatives fashioned events that were tailored specifically for their school community. Educational assemblies were held on all four campuses then the students took off with their own ideas. Bryn Mawr students had a Student Government fair that included a tie-dye booth for the WTB? shirts. All of the proceeds from the fair were donated to WTB?. Gilman used the tee-shirts and a week of bake sales to raise its WTB? funds. Garrison Forest held a raffle, held bake sales, and used the shirts to get WTB? momentum on its campus. Not only did Loyola Blakefield’s young men have a dunk tank and bake sale at their spring festival Blakefest, but also the students held an evening concert to raise funds for WTB?.  

The commitment of the teen representatives was inspirational for all at God’s Economy. The four schools were able to raise awareness and funds to combat the global issue of malaria. Almost $7,000 was raised between the schools. As the buzz spread other God’s Economy donors contributed to the outreach. By the end of June 2009 more than 1,400 nets have been given to our Malawian partners. Additionally, St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Namitete, Malawi was fully funded to retrofit the hospital for nets for every hospital bed. 

The buzz begins again! Autumn 2009 has God’s Economy talking to five schools in the Baltimore area. Everyone is excited to see what this year’s student representatives will do to generate more interest and additional funds for malaria prevention through WTB?! Stay tuned.