Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Kathy Calvin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the UN Foundation, joined the Nothing But Nets team at an antimalaria workshop, as part of President Obama’s United We Serve initiative and the official September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance activities.

Ambassador Rice and Kathy Calvin worked with more than 100 students from the United Nations Association’s Global Classrooms® and the School Without Walls to educate them about malaria and encourage them to work within their communities to help prevent the deadly disease.

On September 11, we remember all of the people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks eight years ago. Ambassador Rice gave an inspiring speech that really hit home. She talked about how deeply that loss affected all of us in the United States. She then pointed out that nearly 3,000 people (about the same number of victims from 9/11) die every day in Africa from Malaria and related illnesses. Her exact words were “Malaria is Africa’s 9/11” — that gave me chills.

When Kathy Calvin addressed the room, she noted that hundreds of service activities took place across the country on September 11, but the really cool thing about this one is that we are acting locally to make an impact globally. It is a small world after all. Why not help make it a healthier and happier one?

Nothing But Nets works because of the passionate people – like YOU – behind it. You can save a life, your school or church can save a community, and together we can cover the African continent with bed nets.

This project was a great way to show to the students how they can act locally in their own community but make a difference globally. The Nothing But Nets campaign raises funds and awareness in the U.S. to eradicate malaria worldwide. You can learn more at http://www.nothingbutnets.net.