In Chindungwa 2 Village in Traditional Authority Pemba, Salima District, malaria used to be a common and deadly threat. For years, many villagers lacked adequate knowledge about the importance of sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs).

But today, Hawa Nkhonjera, a mother and grandmother from the village, stands out as one of the local champions in the fight against malaria. For her and her family, sleeping under treated mosquito nets has become a nightly routine — a simple but powerful defense against the disease.

“I, my husband, my four children, and my grandchildren always sleep inside treated mosquito nets every night throughout the year,” Nkhonjera says proudly. “If we fail to do so, we can easily suffer from malaria.”

Nkhonjera’s commitment comes despite lingering myths and misconceptions in her community. Some people used to believe that sleeping under mosquito nets was uncomfortable or even “like sleeping in a coffin.”

However, through awareness campaigns by members of the Zisinthe Radio Listening Club (RLC), attitudes in Chindungwa 2 have changed dramatically.

“Some people used to misuse or sell their nets,” Nkhonjera explains. “But now, many in our village understand the importance of sleeping inside treated nets. The awareness campaigns have really helped reduce malaria cases here.”

The Zisinthe RLC operates under the Health Communication for Life (HC4L) project, implemented by Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) in partnership with FHI 360 as the prime contractor.

The five-year, $24.7 million USAID-funded initiative works in four districts — Chikwawa, Salima, Nkhotakota, and Nkhata Bay — to increase public demand for quality health services and promote healthy behaviors.

The project supports Malawi’s efforts to improve maternal, neonatal, and child health; HIV prevention; family planning; malaria control; nutrition; and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

Thanks to such initiatives, women like Hawa Nkhonjera are not only protecting their families but also inspiring others to do the same.