Image2700 Malawi Children Receive Anti-Malaria Medicines, Thanks to Plaza Rotarians

Through the efforts of Kansas City healthcare professional and Plaza Rotarian Bill Schmidt—along with his Rotary contacts and resources—2,700 children of Malawi Children’s Village (MCV) recently received the medication they need to fight malaria.

As a member of MCV’s Board of Directors and former Peace Corp volunteer in Malawi during the 1960’s, Schmidt’s heart is rather close to MCV. In fact, a needs assessment conducted by Schmidt’s daughter resulted in the goal to establish MCV over 12 years ago.

MCV, located in Mangochi, began as an orphanage and quickly grew into a support program for orphans living with members of their extended family in the surrounding 37 villages. The facility provides shelter, food, safety, health care and education to children from birth to 18 years of age—a population devastated by malaria, the largest killer of children in all of Africa.

“Efforts to prevent the spread of malaria by the use of bed nets are working,” said Schmidt, “but there is a severe shortage of medicine for the people who get malaria.”

Schmidt spearheaded an effort to deliver enough medication to treat 3,000 women and children inflicted with malaria in Malawi. Schmidt’s efforts were reached with help from a $3,000 Rotary District grant.

Because malaria is different in different countries and the strands change, the proper medicine is hard to find. It’s also difficult to get through customs—a common frustration for many international aid organizations.

To assure the medicine reached the right place at the right time, Schmidt coordinated the shipment with Alaska physician Dr. Tom Nighswander’s annual service trip to Malawi. Once it reached MCV, it was safely stored and distributed through their health clinic.

 “We have a significant supply now—enough to last us throughout the year,” said Schmidt. “The rainy season in Malawi runs from December to April or May, when the mosquitoes are in full force. So the supply of medication is both essential and timely. This will truly save lives.”

 

Rotary International is a service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training.