Buy-A-Net
"Buy-A-Net was launched in 2004 as Canada's first citizen driven initiative aimed at saving lives from malaria. Buy-A-Net advocates and raises awareness about malaria, and the funds necessary to purchase long lasting insecticide treated bed nets, and anti-malaria medicines. In partnership with local community based groups, the malaria prevention tools are distributed, free-of-charge, to needy families in Uganda, the Group's first target country."
Founded by Debra Lefebvre and run by an active volunteer Board of Directors, Buy-A-Net is a Canadian registered charitable organization. The price to save lives from malaria with a bed net is a mere $7 and all of the money raised through Buy-A-Net goes directly towards getting nets over the heads of families in need.
I spoke with Debra who, as I mentioned above, founded Buy-A-Net and is the current executive director of the organization. Debra's story absolutely brought me to tears and I'm sure that you too will be moved by her words and inspirational spirit!
"Our efforts bring hope and where there is hope, there is opportunity." -Debra Lefebvre
Jill: Debra, as the founder of Buy-A-Net, can you tell us a little bit about how you became aware of the malaria issue in Africa and what made you decide to take action?
Debra: In the summer of 2004, I traveled to Uganda on a humanitarian effort in my capacity as a Registered Nurse. It was early on in my trip, during a visit to a remote fishing village across Lake Victoria, that I came across the body of a young boy in the midst of a full blown seizure. I discovered him as I made my way through the tall grass from the shores of the lake. Olive, my guide, told me to leave him, that "the mother would take care of him". As a mother of my own four young children, as a Registered Nurse, and certainly as a Canadian, I simply could not. The boy's name was David, he was 8 years old, and he had malaria. I learned a great deal about this killer disease during that first trip, and met many mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who had lost their loved ones to malaria. Their grief brought me to my knees.
Until that trip to Uganda, I had no idea about the devastation this killer disease exacts on families, communities and entire nations. For the first time in my career as a Registered Nurse, I felt completely helpless in the face of a preventable and 100% treatable disease. That helplessness soon manifested itself into anger, and that anger mobilized me to action. I researched and developed a plan to tackle this disease that was taking so many lives, and costing African nations $12 billion each year. Children under five years and pregnant women are most vulnerable. I would never stand for it for my children, so why would I stand for it for other children? When I learned that it was so simple, inexpensive and effective to prevent and treat malaria, I created a manageable and achievable plan to raise awareness in Canada and funds to buy the prevention tools. Following more trips to Uganda to build relationships, consults with government and community stakeholders, more research, and many talks with members of my circle of friends, neighbours, and family, as well as a few fundraisers, we had our first bed net distribution in the spring of 2006.
Jill: How do you "found" a charity? What is the process? What has been the most difficult task? The most rewarding?
Debra: It became clear to me early on that we needed to become a registered charity, as with this designation, credibility and accountability were more assured to our donor public. The Hon. Peter Milliken and his staff were very helpful as we navigated our way through this process, which included incorporation through the provincial regulatory body, and application for charitable status with the federal government. The most difficult task was to find individuals who would provide their services pro bono in this regard. The most rewarding was when CRA called to indicate we had been granted charitable status.
Jill: Your amazing website outlines why bed nets are making such a huge impact on the lives of Ugandans but can you tell us, from your personal perspective, what you believe this charity accomplishes? What kind of change have YOU seen?
Debra: You are correct in that bed nets and anti-malaria medicines save lives, without question. However, it is much deeper than that. One can never capture the essence of empowering a local woman to become a local health leader. The joy and meaning that the Buy-A-Net process of education and malaria control brings to a woman (it is largely the women who step up) who would otherwise likely not receive any education or capacity to help her fellow community members in a meaningful way is incredible, and beyond words. I have had women kneel to thank me. This is incredibly humbling, because had these women been born in Canada, the opportunity to become anything they wanted to would be there. Because these women are born in abject poverty, they go no where.
As I reported to the World Health Organization, and HR Princess Astrid of Belgium and the Roll Back Malaria delegation on Parliament Hill last April, the bed nets serve as catalysts to better health seeking behaviours, and in turn, build a community's health beyond malaria control. Children who usually would not be immunized, are brought in by their caregivers when they know they will receive a bed net, and pregnant women who usually would not attend pre-natal clinics do so to receive a bed net, for example. Our efforts bring hope and where there is hope, there is opportunity.
I believe the biggest change I have seen is the recognition by Ugandan women that their life has more meaning with volunteerism, and they have the capacity to improve the health of their families and village. I have more meaning in my life because of my volunteer work with Buy-A-Net, too!
I also believe that Buy-A-Net has shown Canadians that a small amount of money ($7 will buy-a-net!) can make a dramatic and lasting difference to families half a world away. I believe that young Canadians, too, are empowered through Buy-A-Net, to stand up and be the voice for so many who don't have one.
Jill: What has been the most memorable and/or successful fund raising initiative.
Debra: There are many, but I can narrow it down to two. The first was held in April 2007, as the first ever World Malaria Day event in Canada, hosted in Kingston and organized by volunteers of Buy-A-Net. The Ugandan Ambassador, HE George Abola, addressed the large audience, and members of all levels of government were in attendance, including The Hon. Peter Milliken, The Hon. John Gerretsen, and Councillors Rob Matheson and Ed Smith. It was a significant achievement which raised the profile and visibility of this killer disease amongst Kingstonians and Canadians alike. I'd like to add that Kingston is the first Canadian city to formally recognize World Malaria Day, April 25th, and due to Buy-A-Net's efforts, WMD is now recognized coast-to-coast across Canada and by provincial government, as well. Mayor Harvey Rosen has been a tremendous ambassador to the cause.
The second equally memorable event was the Reception on Parliament Hill in October 2007, hosted by The Hon. Peter Milliken in honour of Buy-A-Net. Many members of parliament, their staff, and friends of Buy-A-Net from across Canada attended this momentous occasion. It was a turning point for Buy-A-Net, in that the profile of our life saving efforts received incredible national attention and media coverage. I believe it contributed to the endorsement of Buy-A-Net by the Canadian Nurses Association (as we invited them to the Reception), and other highly reputable organizations. Mr. Milliken has also been an incredible ambassador for us.
Jill: How can we (people everywhere!) get involved?
Debra: Thank you for asking! There are various ways to get involved, from just talking about malaria to your family and friends, to fundraising for bed nets and anti-malaria medicines, to joining Buy-A-Net on a volunteer experience in Uganda (we have a team leaving in three weeks). We have young children to university students to mature adults who are part of our life saving campaign; no effort is too small or too big. In addition, we welcome volunteers in our office. Students can also get their volunteer hours with Buy-A-Net.
Our website at www.buyanet.ca is rich with information and materials for download, or individuals can call our office at 613-542-1264. We have promotional packages to get people started with their fundraising efforts, which include visual, audio and print materials. We are also very excited about the newly created "Beading Up Malaria" campaign which will be made available to the public early September. In partnership with Bead4Life (www.beadforlife.org), Buy-A-Net purchases beads made by Ugandan women for resale to our donor public. The proceeds are used through Buy-A-Net to purchase bed nets and anti-malaria medicines. $10 = Bag of Beads = Save Lives. One bag of beads will buy-a-net and anti-malaria medicine! This partnership directly tackles poverty through the creation of sustainable employment for Ugandan women, as well as malaria through the purchase of nets and medicines with the proceeds.
Jill: What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any???
Debra: It's very limited and precious! I am a hockey trainer for minor hockey. I also enjoy reading, cooking and gardening. I just finished "Water for Elephants". I highly recommend it! I volunteer at our childrens' schools and of course, accompany our four children (ages 15, 14, 12 and 10; three girls, Sara, Laura and Emma, and one boy, Robert, respectively) to all their sports activities. I'm their biggest fan and cheerleader along with their Dad and my best friend, Paul. In addition, when I am passionate about a particular issue that affects our beautiful city, I get involved and contribute to the best of my ability.
For more information on Buy-A-Net, the Malaria epidemic or how to get involved, please go directly to www.buyanet.ca
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