USAID/Senegal takes part in Africa Outside Edge bednet distribution

South African adventurer Kingsly Holgate joins USAID/Senegal for a bednet distribution activity on the remote island of Bassoul on November 10, 2007. Photo: Richard Nyberg, USAID

USAID/Senegal joined up with South African adventurer Kingsley Holgate of National Geographic fame to distribute mosquito nets as part of his 33-country trek around the outside edge of Africa.  On November 10, USAID organized and participated in the distribution of 1,500 long-lasting, insecticide-treated bednets on the remote island of Bassoul, nestled in Senegal’s western mangroves.  Nine hundred nets from the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and 600 more from corporate sponsors were enough to cover the beds of pregnant women and children under five.  Holgate and his team also distributed bednets near the Senegal’s northern border before crossing into Mauritania. 

According to Holgate, a son of a missionary who cannot seem to rid wanderlust from his system, he was halfway through his voyage to circumvent the continent when he reached Senegal -- 17 countries, 27,000 kilometers and 200 days on the road with 165 remaining for his party of seven traveling in three rugged vehicles.  Holgate says his team has also seen “hundreds of campfires and river crossings, buckets of sweat, loads of adventure and tens of thousands of lives already saved and improved through this world-first humanitarian expedition.”

Using the expedition’s inflatable boats to reach Bassoul, Holgate addressed the entire community with his One Net One Life campaign messages on bednet use, particularly targeting the colorfully dressed women who drove the celebration with drumming and lively dancing. “The saving grace of Africa is the mamas of Africa,” he said.

“We will be fighting malaria everywhere in this village,” said village chief Ousmane Sarr.  He thanked USAID for the bednets and its continued support for Bassoul.  USAID financed the construction of a new middle school so that the island’s teenagers can continue their education close to home. “We are praying every day for USAID to be all over the world.”