Dr. Matt Lynch, director of CCP’s Global Program on Malaria, addressed a crowd of 20,000 people on live television in Swahili at the national Mwenge celebration in Kigoma, Tanzania on October 14, 2010. The Mwenge is the Uhuru (freedom) torch which, since independence, is taken annually on a a six month tour of rural villages in each district in Tanzania to disseminate information to the rural population. These visits are extremely popular and draw huge crowds of rural Tanzanians.

The primary message this year was the fight against malaria. Secondary messages included HIV, protection of albinos, fighting corruption and illegal drugs, among others.

In his speech, Dr. Lynch cited that it is the household’s responsibility to use long-lasting insectidal nets (LLINs) and to obtain prompt treatment for their families. President Kikwete, the President of Tanzania, was so taken with the speech that he took Lynch aside, complimented him on his Swahili, and asked for advice on how to deal with negative rumors around the safety of LLINs. On behalf of CCP’s malaria projects in Tanzania, Anna McCartney Melstad received a certificate of appreciation from President Kikwete for CCP’s work on this important event.

President Kikwete is a strong supporter of malaria control in Tanzania. He serves as the chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance.

View more photos of the Mwenge celebration.

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