A World Malaria Day event banner reads, “Race and party to fight malaria in Ambatovaky” in Ambatovaky Avaratra, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar. Credit: Antoinette Pick-Jones, Peace Corps
In eastern Madagascar, the Ambatovaky Village Women’s Association and Running Club organized events to increase awareness of malaria in the community and improve understanding of the disease, its symptoms, and how to prevent it. Some people walked two hours by foot in order to attend the World Malaria Day event, and the local radio worker interviewed members of the village women’s association health group.
The day started with a road race, in which 100 runners participated, including men, women, and children. The members of the running club who did not participate managed the sidelines with whistles, flags, and ropes.
Peace Corps volunteer, Antoinette Pick-Jones, distributes race bibs to participants in World Malaria Day events. Credit: Peace Corps
The group also painted a mural in the center of the village depicting the symptoms of malaria. Following the race, educational sessions provided information about insecticide-treated mosquito net education and care, and malaria symptoms and treatment.
At the end of the day, community members were better able to recognize malaria symptoms, know how to protect themselves with insecticide-treated mosquito nets, understand the importance of rapid testing, and know where to go for prompt treatment should the test be positive.