Recently, a group of caring children participated in Vacation Bible School at Crossbridge Christian Church. These Houston youngsters pulled together to help Tenderfeet kids with a serious problem faced by all African children.

Crossbridge Vacation Bible School kids and teachers. Helping other kids can be fun!

Though Tenderfeet kids come from many different ethnic backgrounds (tribes), different areas of the slums, different family situations, there is a common problem that all students at Tenderfeet share.

Virtually all of them have been victims of Malaria, and this is where the Crossbridge Vacation Bible School (VBS kids) wanted to help.

A mosquito net hangs from the ceiling and covers the bed

Since Malaria is caused by Mosquito bites, usually at night, sponsoring a quality bed net to keep the Tenderfeet kids safe was the best way to help.

And the Crossbridge VBS children came through wonderfully, raising enough funds to purchase a net for every Tenderfeet child.

Of course, most wealthy nations are fortunate to be spared the scourge of Malaria.

But for kids in Kenya, Malaria is a real and serious threat. It endangers their health and even their lives.

Malaria strikes every family sooner or later, and the suffering it causes weighs heavily on most families in the slums.

Throughout the year, children at Tenderfeet will be absent for days or even weeks as they suffer with the disease.

Fortunately, anti-Malarial drugs are readily available in most clinics, which at least lowers the risk of death. But these medications do not prevent Malaria, they only help in the recovery.

Youngest Tenderfeet children with their new nets. These little ones are the most vulnerable to Malaria

Despite the medication, the child still faces a very painful and difficult recovery period. They suffer flu-like symptons, including chills, fever, vomiting and overall severe pain.

During this time, they are vulnerable to other health problems. In fact, in the past year, several former Tenderfeet students have passed away, and Malaria was likely a factor each time. And the long-term effects are extremely serious, including potential organ damage.

The saying goes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s certainly true of Malaria, where a simple net that goes over the bed can spare the sleeping child of being attacked by buzzing mosquitoes carrying the virus.

Intermediate level Tenderfeet students glad to have new nets (sorry for blurry photo)

A good net treated with insecticide can greatly reduce the chance of a child getting Malaria, especially since the mosquitoes that carry Malaria are night feeders.

Such a net costs around $10, yet it’s very rare to find a family in the slums with a net. After all, $10 is about a third of a month’s income and with more immediate needs always in the forefront, families just don’t invest in the nets.

Fortunately, two years ago, Cornerstone United Methodist Church had a VBS fundraiser for mosquito nets and we purchased nets for the Tenderfeet students at that time. But with the life span of such a net 2-3 years, and so many new students, it was time to make sure all the kids had at least one new one in the household.

Oldest Tenderfeet students with their mosquito nets

Thanks to the Crossbridge VBS kids, who last year sponsored new playground equipment, we were able to purchase nets for all the children of Tenderfeet.

The VBS girls and boys competed to see who could raise the most money to help, but everyone was a winner, especially Tenderfeet kids. It was a great way to show Christian love and service, and an important lesson in Bible school.

Tenderfeet children are tremendously blessed to have new nets. We are looking forward to them staying healthier and safer because of the kindness and generosity of Crossbridge VBS students.