Soul Beat Africa
African development action with informed and engaged societies
Soul Beat Africa
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Published 14 years ago
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Kiss Malaria Goodbye

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Launched in 2011, Kiss Malaria Goodbye is an initiative implemented by Doctors Without Borders in South Africa that works to raise awareness, support, and funds for malaria treatment and eradication activities in Africa, particularly artemisinen-based combination therapy and malaria rapid diagnostic tests. The initiative uses new technologies such as SMS and online social networking platforms, and encourages people to record kisses as part of the message to “Kiss Malaria Goodbye.”

Communication Strategies

The Kiss Malaria Goodbye initiative encourages people to access the Kiss Malaria Goodbye campaign website to show their support for malaria prevention and eradication by recording a short video or uploading a photo of themselves literally "kissing malaria goodbye.” The kisses recordings are collected in the "wall of kisses." The website also encourages visitors to donate to the initiative either online or via SMS and become members of Doctors Without Borders. The site includes key information about malaria prevention in Africa, as well as a summary of Doctors Without Borders' work in Africa. The website includes links to both the Twitter and Facebook pages for the campaign.

Development Issues

Malaria, New technologies

Key Points

According to organisers, 91% of the nearly 800,000 annual malaria-related fatalities occur in Africa, with the majority being children under the age of five. Young children and pregnant women are most at risk of severe malaria, as are people living with HIV.

Doctors Without Borders is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF combines the provision of emergency medical care with a commitment to speaking out about the suffering people endure and the obstacles encountered in providing assistance. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender, or political affiliation.

Sources

Kiss Malaria Goodbye website on June 28, 2011.