Cargo Bikes Deliver Mosquito Nets and Malaria Treatment to People in High-Risk Rural Areas
Bike distribution at Rukara Health Center. Pictured: Dr. Steven Phillips, Medical Director for Global Health Issues for ExxonMobil, Rebecca Krueger and Kimberly Coats from Project Rwanda, John Bridgeland, Vice Chairman of Malaria No More, Senior Advisor to the UN Special Envoy for Malaria, and Board member of the Center for Interfaith Action.
Project Rwanda and Malaria No More Team up to Eliminate Malaria Deaths by 2015
MUSANZE, Rwanda – Project Rwanda and Malaria No More (MNM), two non-profit organizations, have teamed up to launch a timely initiative in Rwanda. Their shared goal is to prevent malaria deaths, particularly those of children, through a proven combination of mosquito nets and malaria treatment.
Financed through a generous grant from ExxonMobil, the team delivered 50 Project Rwanda cargo bikes to the village of Rukara located in the eastern province of Rwanda. Health workers from the Rukara Health Facility will use cargo bikes to reach individuals and families endangered by this highly-preventable disease: Malaria is transmitted to humans through infected mosquitoes.
"Project Rwanda is a critical partner in our efforts to cross the ‘last mile’ of the race to end malaria deaths by 2015”, said Scott Case, CEO of Malaria No More, “Finding effective ways to deliver prevention and treatment tools to families in remote areas not only saves lives, but also reduces the overall burden on their communities."
Health Center Workers and Cargo Bikes
Project Rwanda has been providing cargo bikes to farmers in rural areas since 2006 to improve the transport of goods from farm to market. The resulting income contributes to the overall economic health of Rwanda as families and communities increase their sales and profits.
States Tom Ritchey, founder of Project Rwanda "Project Rwanda is committed to improving the lives of the Rwandan people. Our partnership with Malaria No More is another way to use the cargo bike to help Rwandans survive and thrive in a challenging situation."
