LOGAN, UT—AOAAD, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and educational conditions of the African youth, is kicking off a campaign with the USU women’s basketball team to raise awareness of the issues that face the African people as well as raise funds for supplies to help these people.

MalariAttack is a humanitarian aid project taking place in Senegal, Africa whose goal is to bring awareness of the malaria disease and other social issues. Fundraising will be done in order to buy 25,000 insecticide-treated bed nets, and to donate $ 25,000 worth of medicines and medical supplies in different hospitals and orphanages in Senegal. The idea is that one person in Utah can help one person in Senegal; just one person can make a difference. "At an orphanage in Senegal I helped to save a child that was suffering from Malaria. This experience inspired me to help, one child was saved by one person who cared; we can each be that one," said Ousmane Diatta, AOAAD Treasurer”

The MalariAttack team will travel to Senegal in May 2009 where its members will be operating on the ground, distributing mosquito nets and malaria medicine to local people in need. They will be volunteering in medical centers and orphanages wherever they are needed. They will be volunteering at medical centers and orphanages, doing whatever is needed. The USU women’s basketball team will teach children in Senegal how playing sports can help them stay healthy as well as increase their chances for success. “The AOAAD plans to use sports as the means for children in Senegal to gain opportunities for better healthcare and education,” Diatta said.

By supporting MalariAttack, one shot can change the game, on net can save a life, one game can make all the difference.

For more information about MalariAttack and AOAAD go to www.progress4africa.org. Contact Monica Swapp at 801-549-7919 or monica.swapp@aggiemail.usu.edu