Bill Meyers, Alexander Dawson School - Lafayette, Colorado  USA

I am a middle school science teacher and have been teaching for 23 years.  Over the past 12 years I have become involved in various online educational programs.  Through those programs my students and I have met other teachers and students from around the world.   Over the past 5 years I have worked closely with Mr. Odhiambo Rapemo from Oyugis, Kenya and Mr. Tommie Hamaluba from Gaborone, Botswana.  Our students have worked together studying the global issues of the “Digital Divide” and “Global Infectious Diseases”.  Malaria is one of the diseases that we study and the one that we have chosen to focus on.  Working with the End Malaria - Blue Ribbon Campaign through the Malaria Foundation International has allowed us to spread the word on the fight against malaria.  This allows 13 and 14 year old students to have an impact on a global issue.  That is a wonderful opportunity for our students and tomorrow leaders.  We hope to get more schools to work with us this year, sharing their thoughts and ideas and working to eradicate malaria.

Pratibha Singh, ADWR, Assam  India

Tommie Hamaluba, Gaborone Senior Secondary  High School, Botswana

Tommie teaches at Gaborone Senior Secondary School in the Republic of Botswana and holds a Degree in Business Administration, Diploma in Education, Certificate in Accounting and he is a qualified online course mentor with www.iearn.org  His desire to serve people in the globe is evidenced from the way he has coordinated the Education and Eradication of malaria project in Botswana.He is the founder and facilitator of the "Education and Eradication of malaria- project a case of iEARN schools. Tommie's committed to save the health of students and commitment to iEARN led him to be recognised as a LIFE SAVER HERO. He is also very active in ENO project (Environmental Online) http://eno.joensuu.fi

At the moment, Tommie is pursuing Master's Degree in Computer Aided Education with University of Pretoria (South Afric) through online.  In Botswana he coordinates an ICT club at his school where students are busy educating the nation on how to prevent malaria in partnership with the Malaria Foundation's End Malaria - Blue Ribbon campaign.  See details at www.malaria.org

Muhammad Umar, SYAHD, Kano Nigeria

Muhammad has worked for almost 5 years as an Information, Education and Communication officer (IEC) in Society for the Youth Awareness and Health Development (SYAHD), in Kano State northern Nigeria. He developed interest working in community to serve people, because we all need to take responsibility for each others health and well being excluding none, including all.

He is a highly qualified leader in the Health Information Management area and knowledgeable in many health problems afflicting his community. Muhammad became interested in the End-Malaria Blue Ribbon Campaign and introduced it to SYAHD. At that time, all agreed to contact MFI to join the EM - BR campaign because malaria is endemic in Nigeria, and the population at highest risk includes children, pregnant women, and the non-immune. It’s a dream that comes true and they hope to spread the message through the SLAM network.

Malaria kills more than one million people each year. Ninety percent of the deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Growing up in West Africa, I noticed that this affliction constitutes a social, economic and political burden to the population. Rolling back this disease must be the first aim of the twenty-first century. This is why I chose to study malaria. I am a Research Scientist from Niger, West Africa. I earned my doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Bamako in Mali in 2003 where I studied molecular markers of drug resistance in malaria parasites. Currently, I conduct research in a project dedicated to monitor drug resistance in malaria within the Malaria Branch laboratories at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In July 2006, some of my colleagues from Niger living in the US and myself established the Niger Summer Enrichment Program (NSEP) to benefit two elementary schools in Niamey, the capital of Niger. In addition to the school program, I collected school bags and supplies from CDC to reward the best students at the end of the summer program. As I was preparing to start my research career in malaria,  the Malaria Foundation International's web site was the first site that I used to collect information on malaria for my thesis. Upon my settlement in Atlanta, GA after Hurricane Katrina, I had the opportunity to work directly with the President and the Founder, Dr. Mary Galinski and her team. Then I realized that NSEP and MFI's shared common goals in the fight against malaria, our partnership will continue to support malaria awareness, education, training, research, and leadership programs in Niger.

John Martin Segbo, SMI, Ivory Coast

I’m a public health-oriented  biologist from Ivory Coast with Ghanaian origin, and a father of  5 children. I’m the founder and president of Stop Malaria International (SMI). My 20-year career in medical and agricultural projects has sent me to 22 african countries, 7 European countries, Japan, Brazil and the USA. I started my post university career as a natural science teacher in Ivory Coast where I taught for five years. I entered the fight against malaria in my first job with a Japanese group where I was a regional manager for agricultural and medical projects funded by the Japanese Government. It was during this period, reading through the medical statistics of each country that I learned the seriousness of malaria in Africa.  Then, I became a public health manager for West Africa for a Swiss company, and my job emphasis was malaria prevention action with the Ministry of Health in the region and there again I was surprised about the large ignorance of the general public on the primary cause of malaria, the lack of information for the rural population, the lack of funding available for malaria control and prevention particularly in my own country. Knowledge about the different international efforts geared towards malaria control triggered my decision to get more involved by creating and heading an NGO for MALARIA ADVOCACY and PREVENTION.   My projects are many. I discovered the great ground work done by MFI and realized that a lot remains to be done, therefore I join hands with this institution to draw the attention of the whole world to the fact that the leading global cocoa producer is also amongst the worst hit by malaria. I want to go back to schools with MFI to educate the YOUTH and ginger them up to become leaders in the fight against Malaria.

Patricio Kulemeka, Play Soccer Malawi, Malawi

I am a Sports Coach with International Coach’s Diploma  obtained from Semmelweis University, Institute of Coaching and Sport Education, Hungary, and I am qualified Instructor with Basic Certificate in Swimming and General Gymnastics from FINA and FIG respectively. At the moment I am working as Country Program Director of Play Soccer Malawi and through those programs, activities and interaction with the world, and especially with Children as Football Coach at grassroots level for the past 20 years, I have confronted with other coaches, administrators, teachers, students players and children from around the world.   Over the past 7 years I have worked closely with children in Swaziland, Simunye and home country town of Kawale in Lilongwe, Ndirande, Bembeke, Bangwe, Chingumula, Lupaso just to mention few places and with the current  team of Play Soccer Malawi Volunteer Corps with Abel Mkandawire; Slyus Liwindo, Basiyano Bauleni, Jaffali Mussa and Drake Chithambo.  Our volunteers are working together and Making that slogan of our Board Chairman and also President of Football Association of Malawi, Mr. Walter Nyamilandu Manda “Let Football Happen” indeed the powerful message of Soccer and through the Globe Peace Games of 2007 has made and Declared war to Malaria hence Malaria is one of the diseases that we study, learn through Play Soccer Learning Circle on Health Skills and the one that we have chosen to focus on.  Working with the End Malaria - Blue Ribbon Campaign through the Malaria Foundation International has allowed us to spread the word on the fight against malaria.  This allows our 12 to 14 year old students to have an impact on a global issue.  This is a rare coin worth sharing and we hope to build up a national network that will bring “Children Helping Children” and Education of the community on malaria prevention and treatment with slogan “Malawians Helping Malawians” Communities is a wonderful opportunity for our students and tomorrow leaders.

As Shakespeare mentioned in Merchant of Venice,  “the world is like a stage, where everybody has role to play”……and mine is to be  “the mouth piece, eyes and ears of those that are trying to make this place a better place to be especially those for children, mothers that are being affected by this deadly disease Malaria…..” Nobis donet in patria (with you in our true country).

Syrulwa Somah, PhD, LIHEDE, Monrovia Liberia

Dr. Somah is an Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is the author of several books, including, The Historical Resettlement of Liberia and It Environmental Impact, Christianity, Colonization and State of African Spirituality, and Nyanyan Gohn-Manan: History, Migration & Government of the Bassa (a book about traditional Bassa leadership and cultural norms published in 2003). Dr. Somah is also the Executive Director of the Liberian History, Education & Development, Inc. (LIHEDE), a nonprofit organization based in Greensboro, North Carolina. He serves as chief spokesperson for LIHEDE and principal representative of LIHEDE at local, regional, national, and international conferences and seminars in the US and overseas and as point of contact and coordinator for LIHEDE’s malaria eradication campaign, “WE WANT NO MORE MALARIA IN LIBERIA.  Dr. Somah promotes a Culture-Driven program that holds the view that “culture-driven” malaria control initiatives are imperative for any modern malaria control and prevention schemes. In other words, “culture-driven” means, any program or gathering that is either unique to the whole of Liberia or to people in a particular region or political subdivision of Liberia to get the message across.

Pattie Curlee, Goddard School, Marietta, GA USA

 My name is Pattie Curlee. I am a single mom of a teenage son, I live in Marietta, Ga and teaching is in my blood. I teach pre-school children in a private school and have always tried to guide my students on how to make the earth a better place ... one tiny issue at a time. We learn about environmental issues, positive social skills, hugs for the elderly, and animal welfare. The " End Malaria Blue Ribbon Campaign " was a perfect fit for my education of "little people". I feel very honored to be part of the MFI group of leaders and hope that the love is felt from every blue ribbon bag that we stuff. Little People, Tiny Seeds, Makes A HUGE Difference!!!

Carlos Franco-Paredes, MD, MPH, FACP, DTM&H, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Dr. Carlos Franco Paredes was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. Dr. Franco-Paredes is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of the Travel Well, International Travelers Medical Clinic at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta. After his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in infectious diseases and completing a Masters degree in Public Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory, Dr. Franco-Paredes worked in a leading position at the National Immunization Program with the Ministry of Health in Mexico. He recently returned to Emory to foster the development of the clinical curriculum in travel and tropical medicine and to contribute to Global Health research within the Infectious Disease Division at Emory University. Since 2007 he is part of the Southern Sudan Medical Project (NGO) working closely to  adapt the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to Southern Sudan and initiated a partnership with the MFI to  bring medical relief efforts in malaria and neglected infectious diseases to under-served regions in Sudan.

Lexi Hunter, The Galloway School, Atlanta GA

I teach at a school that encourages students to take risks, to ask the hard questions, and to know that they have an important voice that can make ripples towards changing the world. So when the Malaria project was brought to my attention, thanks to the dedication and momentum of Mary Galinski and Christiane Levine, I knew that this was a course I needed to teach, even if it was one I knew very little about.

I now teach a 9 week course on Malaria that not only introduces students to the deadly disease, but then gives them an opportunity to decide how they want to spread awareness. We have dressed up as mosquitoes to raise funds in carpool line, and we've also made podcasts that serve as public service announcements.  Who knows what direction the next class will take, but what we do know is that the Malaria Foundation will continue to support and encourage us to End Malaria.

Cindy Korir, PhD, Emory University, Atlanta GA

Dr. Cindy Korir, a native of Kenya is a member of the Malaria Research Program at the Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta. Her long term goals include advancing scientific research on malaria and continuing the fight to eradicate malaria, especially through educating children. Dr. Korir serves as the African Liaison for the "Student Leaders Against Malaria" (SLAM) Project of the Malaria Foundation International (MFI).

Manzi M Remy-Serge, Rwanda Village Concept Project, Rwanda

I'm a medical student at the National University of Rwanda (grad'2009); I wish to help people in underprivileged communities in Rwanda to improve their health and living standards. These communities live in extreme poverty, lack access to information and resources on health issues. Currently, I'm the Coordinator of the anti-malaria project started in 2004 by the Rwanda Village Concept Project, working closely with the community of the Southern Province of Rwanda, the local students from the National University of Rwanda, the international students and different national and international organizations to reduce the burden of malaria in villages where that community is settled. We are focusing mainly on education and information due to high illiteracy level in the community. This strategy has proven to be effective and important to reduce the prevalence of malaria in those communities and supportive to the success of other related programs. After realizing that there are many myths related to malaria in rural areas, many dramas have been developed focusing on culture integration against malaria

In 2007, we launched the malaria education program for the younger communities which follow four key principles as dictated by UNESCO (FRESH) to raise awareness and increase understanding of malaria. The information gained, allows them to protect and promote their own health and well being, also to pass on the information as mentors to their peers, families and members of their community. Malaria, which is taking many lives in our community, is preventable and I believe that prevention is less costly and more effective than treatment.  I've been being involved in malaria education and prevention program to make a high impact in my community. The risk of contracting malaria in endemic areas deter investment and affect individual and household decision making in many ways that have a negative impact on economic productivity and growth.

There has not been so far a global network of people working to end malaria. The End Malaria - Blue Ribbon campaign to End Malaria is an honorable initiative; I believe that through MFI we can share information, best practices and together work on global campaigns to raise awareness on malaria, please join us!. By committing to such volunteering activities, I'm willing to help create a better world for all.

Andrea Joyce, The Richard England Clubhouse #14 Boys & Girls Club, Washington, D.C. USA

Ms. Joyce is a former teacher in the Prince Georges County Public School System and now serves as the Education Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Richard England Clubhouse #14.  Andrea has always had a love for education and children; a strong desire and duty to service and; being a part of organizations that positively impact the community. Last year, Ms. Joyce became the advisor for a Boys & Girls Club Character & Leadership teen program called the Keystone Club.  The Club members had the privilege to travel to Minneapolis, MN for the Keystone National Conference where they learned of the devastating effects of malaria.  Upon their return to Washington, DC the Keystone Club members felt an obligation to tell others about malaria and its effects.  

In February 2008, the Keystone Club will be hosting a step/dance show called STOMP IT OUT.  The proceeds will be donated to the Malaria Foundation International for research and relief efforts. That is just the beginning of their fight. With the continued support of the MFI, they are determined to join with others around the world and put an End to Malaria.  

Dr. Agnes Mugerwa-Kasujja

Dr. Mugerwa-Kasijja is born and raised in Kampala, Uganda. She describes her interests as follows: "I am currently pursuing a career in public health, although my first degree was in medicine. During my clinical practice, I observed that alot of the diseases that people in Uganda (and Africa in general) were dying from, were from preventable causes. This aroused my interest in public health so that I could equip myself with the skills needed to join in the fight against many of these diseases.