The Peace Corps to Host World Malaria Day Google+ Hangout

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 23, 2014
CONTACT: Press Office 202.692.2230

*MEDIA ADVISORY*

The Peace Corps to Host World Malaria Day Google+ Hangout with Volunteers and Community Members Leading the Fight Against Malaria in Africa

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, April 25, Peace Corps volunteers and their community counterparts will share their experiences collaborating to combat malaria across Africa during a Google+ Hangout On Air for World Malaria Day.

The panelists were chosen through Stomping Out Malaria in Africa’s “Malaria Heroes” competition held to recognize host-country nationals and their Peace Corps volunteer counterparts who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and partnership in the fight against malaria. Volunteers across Africa nominated outstanding individuals from their communities who were then voted on through Facebook. Winners Kory Funk, a health volunteer from Columbus, Ohio, and Mr. Salum Kabugo of Tanzania were selected by a panel of experts from Abt Associates, The Against Malaria Foundation, PATH, ONE, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Peace Corps is leading efforts to eradicate malaria in partnership with the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and non-governmental organizations around the world through the Stomping Out Malaria in Africa initiative, which celebrates its third anniversary this month. The initiative mobilizes more than 1,000 Peace Corps volunteers across 23 high-incidence nations in Africa in the fight against the mosquito-borne disease that kills more than 627,000 people each year. In 2013, volunteers reached more than 465,500 people in 1,455 communities in Africa with malaria prevention outreach, engaged in 780 bed net distribution activities, and conducted 360 trainings of local community mobilizers.

WHAT:
Peace Corps Malaria Heroes live Google+ Hangout On Air

WHO:
Malaria Heroes winners:
Peace Corps volunteer Kory Funk and Mr. Salum Kabugo of Tanzania

Malaria Heroes finalists:
Peace Corps volunteer Chris Kallenbach and Jean Djocko of Cameroon
Peace Corps volunteer Rachel Ricciardi and Mr. Brilliat Frezzer of Malawi
Peace Corps volunteer Beth Braaksma and Justine Niwemugore of Rwanda

WHEN:
10:00 a.m. ET, Friday, April 25, 2014

WHERE:
Watch live on the Google+ event page or attend in person at Peace Corps Headquarters at 1111 20^th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

RSVP: Media interested in participating in the Google+ Hangout should RSVP to pressoffice@peacecorps.gov.

Questions for Peace Corps volunteers and their counterparts can be submitted before and during the event via Stomping Out Malaria in Africa’sFacebook and Twitter accounts.  Make sure to include the hashtag #MalariaHero.