African Dinner-Dance Party Will Raise Funds to Fight Malaria in Africa
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MARCH 24, 2010
Celebration of La Moustiquaire Cocktail Dance Party and Silent Auction Set for April 24
Proceeds to benefit the Bonjour Africa Malaria Project
(Durham, NC.) - A simple bed net can save lives. The Bonjour Africa rojects, Inc., a Durham-based, non-profit organization, hosts its eightth annual Bonjour Africa Malaria Project (BAMP) benefit on April 24, 2010 from 7p.m. to 12 a.m. to raise funds to combat the spread of malaria in Senegal.
"Every year, malaria destroys nearly 3 million lives, mostly children," explains BAMP's President Bouna Ndiye, a native of Senegal. "But there's hope that low cost intervention, including theinsecticide treated bed nets that BAMP distributes in Senegal, are beginning to have a positive impact."
Malaria is a tropical desease transmitted by mosquito bites. Its transmission can be reduced by providing mosquito treated bed nets to communities where the desease is most prevalent.
According to a recent report from the Senegalese instituteof Research for Development (IRD), malaria hinders the development of those who survive it and is a major cause of amenia and miscarriage in pregnant women.
But widespread use of nsecticide-treated bed nets has succeeded in cutting malaria deaths in half. in some places, according to a report from the World Health Organization.
The Senegalese government and its partners, including BAMP, have strongly promoted bed net use as a way to thwart this deadly disease. As a result, more thatn 27% of the populationsleepunder bed nets that are treated with insecticide. If treated once every six months, these bednets provide a higher degree of protection from malaria.
Recent reports also show that BAMP's efforts are working, but there is still more work to do. There has been a signifcant decline n the decline in the spread if malaria in Senegal - from 8,000 cases of death in 2006 to 1,200 cases in 2008. According to te United Children's Funds, almost 30 percent of all child deaths in Senegal and up to 50% of all hospital admissions in Africa are caused by malaria.
In keeping with this year's theme, Celebration of La Moustiquaire (or translated from French to "celebrationof the Net", event organizers are requesting that attendees consider incorporating netting and/or mesh in their cocktail attire. Tickets for the event are $25. Attendees will enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and dance performances. A silent auction for special gifts, art objects and prizes take splace during the event. TO donate an item, contact Beth Keena at b_keena@yahoo.com, or 919-942-3404.
After the food and entertainment, dancing starts with deejay Bouna Ndiaye playing a wide assortment of African and Afro Cuban pop music. Ndiae is the Producer & Host of the popular Bonjour Africa music show heard every Sunday from 4 -- 6:00p.m. on WNCU 90.7FM.
Since 2006, BAMP has raised more than $30,000 which has purchased many thousands of treated bed nets. For more information about BAMP, or to purchase tickets, please contact Bouna Ndiaye at bonjourafrica@ hotmail.com, or www.bonjourafricaprojects.org.
About Bonjour Africa Projects, Inc.
Founded in 2006, Bonjour Africa Projects, Inc. is a 501-(c)-(3) non profit organization which hopes to develop the spiritual, mental and physical expertise of North Carolina's youth through African music. BAMP also seeks to engage in cultural exchange and philantropic outreach in health, education and arts efforts between Africa and North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.bonjourafricaprojects.org.
WHAT: Bonjour Africa Mlaria Project's Celebration of La Moustiquaire Cocktail Dance Party and Silent Auction
WHEN: Saturday, April 24, 2010
Time:7:00P.M.-12A.M
WHERE:The Offices of the Freelon Group
5310 South Alston Ave., Building 300, Suite 320
Durham, NC 27713
Admission:$25
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.bonjourafricaprojects.org
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