The Wartburg Malaria Initiative will hold a benefit concert, Saturday, March 16, to raise funds to help eradicate the illness.
Four professional and 15 student artists or groups will perform at the concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Levick Arena. Tickets are $6.50.
The professional artists include well-known Christian singer-songwriters and Wartburg alumni: Allie Lapointe of Cedar Rapids, a 2000 graduate; Minneapolis-based Nic Stevens, a 2002 graduate; and Chris Tripolino of Cedar Falls, a 2000 graduate. They will be joined by indie recording artist Tim Brinkman of Davenport.
The student performers include Hope Overflow, Festeburg, the St. Elizabeth and Gospel choirs, the Chris Parson Band, Emily Bush, African Congress, Ending Song, Red Velvet Sunrise, Löhe Ladies, Kevin Schneider, Jutone, Chris/Chris, Katie Aldrich, Zombie Escape Plan, Wesley Bates and Love Sum.
The Wartburg Malaria Initiative, which has partnered with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Malaria Campaign, has raised approximately $26,500 and hopes to reach its academic-year goal of $35,000 after the concert, which is being supported by CUNA Mutual Group and Veridian Credit Union.
Kelsey Nulph, a junior religion major from Batavia, Ill., leads the Wartburg effort.
“The concert is another opportunity to reach out into the community and to educate people on the importance of supporting efforts concentrated on the eradication of malaria,” Nulph said. “I can’t say enough about how thrilled I am to have such an incredible group of musicians.”
Malaria kills one child every 60 seconds. A lack of prevention and treatment awareness, along with limited funds, makes the disease prevalent in many rural regions in Africa.
The ELCA is working with 11 countries in Africa to provide mosquito nets; malaria medication, including preventive medicines for pregnant women and their babies; train health-care providers; and offer education about protection, recognizing symptoms and seeking treatment.
Some Wartburg students know its effects firsthand.
Oluwatosin Adeyeye , a junior from Nigeria, had malaria at least once a year while growing up.
She contracted the mosquito-spread disease so often that she recognized the symptoms right away: pressure in her head, a bitter taste in her throat, a feverish feeling, and weakness.
At one point, her mother and all but one of her five siblings were sick with malaria.
But Adeyeye’s parents were pharmacists and immediately would take their children to a doctor for anti-malaria tablets.
Adeyeye said this isn’t the case for many people that contract malaria in her country.
“What happens to you depends on the money you have, and where you live. In rural areas, people don’t believe in medicine. They want to use traditional ways,” she said. “People with middle to high income go to the doctor right away.”
Adeyeye believes malaria can be eradicated with more awareness.
“The problem is people not wanting to accept new things,” she said. “Just sharing about malaria would go a long way. It only takes one person to convince the other people.”
To learn more about the Wartburg Malaria Initiative and to make a donation, go to www.wartburg.edu/malaria.