A project of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Communication Programs.

'Golden Boot' winners lead fight against malaria in Cote d'Ivoire

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Voices for a Malaria-Free Future

In late 2011 United Against Malaria awarded "Golden Boots" to two private sector leaders in Cote d'Ivoire, Wim Van Helleputte, country director for MTN-Cote d'Ivoire, and Rene Yedieti, chief executive officer of Libraire de France, for their personal commitment and public leadership to the fight against malaria. Just as valuable football players earn "golden boots" on the pitch, the two men have contributed greatly to the successful gains of malaria control in their country, despite recent political turmoil and civil war. 

Librairie de France dedicated its bookshop operations to raising the profile of malaria. All cashiers wore UAM T-shirts, customers received UAM information leaflets, and back-to-school kits included UAM educational information. Additionally, long-lasting insecticide treated nets were distributed to IDPs and marginalized children.

Telecomm service provider MTN-CI produced and recorded an original song about malaria control, including the voices of staff members, and distributed free CDs. Many other platforms were used to educate customers and staff about malaria prevention and treatment. The company's plans for 2012 include a UAM nightly message campaign.

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