Real Life Stories

NamibiaMelao Phillipus

Melao is a Field Worker in Namibia, a key role in the malaria fight and involves managing a team of ‘Malaria Agents’, who deliver mosquito nets and malaria education to communities across the country.

Melao suffered from malaria herself in 2004. She had been given a mosquito net but no information alongside or advice on how to use it, so she packed it away and didn’t give it a second thought until she became very ill. She went to the hospital and remembers having a rapid diagnostic test, which confirmed she had contracted malaria. This experience fuelled Melao’s passion for education about malaria – mosquito nets are of no use if people do not know how to use them. Melao wholeheartedly supports the work of her team to make sure people are educated and informed. They give talks about malaria, distribute mosquito nets one home at time with net hanging demonstrations and then following up to check people are using their nets to full effect.

I see more and more people sleeping under mosquito nets now as they know they work and the importance of protecting yourself against malaria

Melao says: “It takes time to influence people’s mindsets and lifestyles but persistence pays and it is worth it! I see more and more people sleeping under mosquito nets now as they know they work and the importance of protecting yourself against malaria.”

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