SUCCESS STORIES

MOZAMBIQUE: The Power of Storytelling Helps Women and Children Fight Malaria

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Every year countries in Southern Africa like Mozambique commemorate Malaria Day on November 9th, providing local health workers and performers with a unique opportunity to work together to educate local people on the causes and dangers of malaria.

On Malaria Day 2006, when the Provincial Health Authority and Malaria Consortium members arrived in Montepuez in the northernmost province of Mozambique, they found a large crowd gathered around a theatre group called Mhoro. But this was no ordinary performance, because their specialized script would help teach the audience about malaria. Women and children from up to five kilometres away packed the streets, with some children even climbing trees to get a better view.

"We go door-to-door to call everyone to come and gather here to receive information about malaria and to join efforts in the fight against malaria taking place throughout Southern Africa. This is the contribution in our poor district," said João Vinte, leader of Mhoro. "We encourage women to come with their children and participate actively and take home an insecticide-treated net to protect the family from malaria and to share what they learn with their husbands and families."

At this time of year, men are busy preparing the fields for sowing, so it is the women that come for health education activities. "Maybe this way we help contribute to them not having sick family members during the busy harvest time," Vinte said.

For people with a strong storytelling tradition, street theater and local radio have proven to be effective methods of reaching audiences which are largely illiterate.

In addition to the street theater performance, the day-long activities included local dance groups, sport competitions, and a malaria knowledge quiz for younger participants. Participants agreed that harnessing the same energy and enthusiasm shown for football and other sports and using it for future advocacy events could help reduce the death toll due to malaria throughout the country.

Dr. Quinhas Fernandes, Chief Medical Officer at the Provincial Health Authority —DPS, was among the officials present at the activities and sincerely thanked everyone in attendance. "Your presence in this activity and all of you here teaches us the importance of having partners and being together everyday."

Contacts for further details:

Malaria Consortium; Ministry of Health;
National Malaria Control Program;
DPS — Provincial Health Authority
Roll Back Malaria Facilitators Group
NAIMA+ - Network of NGOs working in the health sector in Mozambique

Kate Brownlow, Country Director
Malaria Consortium
Avenida Kim I1 Sung, 853
Maputo, Moçambique
Tel: +258 21 490254
k.brownlow@malariaconsortium.org
www.malariaconsortium.org

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