My past collided with my present a few weeks ago when I returned to my high school, Loomis Chaffee, in a small Connecticut town. The school’s boys soccer team, which I played on years ago, was supporting Nothing But Nets during one of their biggest games of the year.
I was so proud to see the team outfitted in their brand-new Nothing But Nets uniforms—the first time in team history that players had worn a special jersey. In their Nothing But Nets gear, the team beat archrival Taft 1-0, qualifying them for the New England championships. Even sweeter than the victory on the field was how the team rallied to raise money and awareness to help end malaria deaths in Africa.
The partnership between Nothing But Nets and Loomis Chaffee is just beginning. This winter, the school’s Center for the Common Good and its Center for Global Studies will introduce students to malaria prevention and Nothing But Nets. And upcoming Senegalese musical and cultural events will help bring the campaign to life.
As an alumnus, it’s a joy to return to my alma mater to share Nothing But Nets’ work to send life-saving bed nets to families in Africa. I am grateful to Loomis Chaffee for their support, and hope to inspire young people to join the fight against malaria. Young voices speaking out and making a difference are the foundation of our work.
Whether it’s on the athletic fields, in the classroom, or at a concert, there are countless ways that students nationwide can get involved with Nothing But Nets. And we need more people to join the movement to end malaria deaths this generation. After spending the weekend with these passionate students, I’m more confident than ever that this is a fight we’re going to win!