On Friday, April 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Floris United Methodist Church will hold a family event to spotlight World Malaria Day and raise money for malaria test kits and treatment, as well as mosquito bed nets. The evening will feature African food, music, drumming, crafts and games. Everyone is welcome and no RSVP is necessary. There is no set ticket price; a voluntary offering will be taken and the proceeds will go to the prevention and treatment of malaria.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Left untreated, they may develop severe complications and die. In 2010, an estimated 216 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide and 655,000 people died, most (91 percent) in the African region. The World Malaria Report 2011, published by the World Health Organization, estimates that malaria claims a life every 60 seconds.
In addition to hands-on crafts and activities, interactive computer games, puzzles, and brainteasers, attendees at this entertaining and educational event will be treated to authentic African food. The menu will include peanut butter, chicken soup, jollof rice, gari foto, fried plantains, bean stew, grilled chicken and noodles. For more information, go to www.florisumc.org/nomalaria or call the church office at 703-793-0026.