The Malaria Week 2012 in Berlin was a complete success.
15. May 2012
The first Malaria Week which comprised of three main events ended on World Malaria Day -25th of April. Everything went on successfully and we could attain some important goals and objectives as regards implementing such a campaign in Berlin.
The week kicked off on the 18th of April with the panel discussion “Coherence in the fight against Malaria: Recognizing Challenges”. This academic and information event assembled people from the general public, medical students, organisation leaders and some politicians. Invited speakers to this discussion were: Dr. Christiane Haas (German Red Cross); Prof. Dr. med. Frank Mockenhaupt (Institute for Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin); Prof. Dr. Peter H. Seeberger (Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomolecular Systems) and the moderator Carolina Quesada (Funkhaus Europa).
The discussion was highly interesting and despite the attendance did not met our expectations we had a good interaction between the moderator, the speakers and the general public present. After the two hours talk and discussion, we had the opportunity to exchange comments, views and ideas and to talk in a friendly atmosphere, while enjoying some African culinary specialties.
This second event for the week was the Malarathon (Malaria + Marathon) which took place on the 21st of April. The aim of the sport event was to enhance awareness amongst the Berlin people about malaria and to raise funds to support the purchase of mosquito nets to be distributed amongst the inhabitants of the Cameroonian town Bosquet.The weather was excellent: not too hot or cold. The 30 runners who registered for the Malarathon showed up in time, fully motivated to tackle the various 3, 5 and 10 km which were offered. The starting shot sounded at 11 o'clock. The participants showed their motivation and their commitment to the cause by running till the finish point.
At the end of the race the runners enjoyed the various refreshments prepared by our volunteers.
Different cakes, sandwiches and water were offered to or runners so that they could recover their energy.
At 14 pm, which was the closing time of the event, each participant was given a symbolic medal and after that we continued relaxing and enjoying the wonderful day!
The last event of the Malaria Week consisted on a charity party called “Voices Against Malaria” which took place at Grüner Salon in Rosa-Luxemburg Platz on the 25th of April, which is a day respected as World Malaria Day. Many renowned singers and performers from the world of jazz and soul lent their voices to this good cause.
Reggie Moore opened the evening with an amazing piano performance and we had the chance to later enjoy the voices of Ingrid Arthur; Dorrey Lin Lyles, Stephanie Ani Kresse and Stephen Shivers.
Our guests had the opportunity to contribute to the malaria cause by buying tickets for the tombola, where they had the chance to win different prizes. The prizes were donated by our sponsors Friedrichstadt-Palast, Admiralspalast, Filmpalast, Lebara, Jameson Whiskey and Cape Times amongst others.
The Malaria Week was a total success and the Hope Foundation team wishes to thank everyone who contributed in one way or the other to make it a reality.
Pictures on our facebook page.
