As part of their 31 in 31 series, Child Fund International recently highlighted recording artist and humanitarian Youssou N’Dour and his efforts in standing up with Senegal against malaria. Surround Sound: Senegal, a campaign by Malaria No More and Foundation Youssou Ndour, kicked off last June and recently held a Xeex Sibbiru (Fight Malaria) concert in Guediway, Senegal.

Creating a “360-degree malaria education and advocacy campaign” in the small West African country is no easy feat. The idea is to mix multiple communication channels with local marketers of entertainment, sport, faith, and business so everyone on every level is included in the education process. Step one: promote malaria prevention through song. Senegalese icon Youssou N’Dour crafted the song Xeex Sibbiru, or Fight Malaria in English, which challenges Senegalese to see the impacts of malaria and choose to take action against it. You can listen to the song on the Child Fund International blog here.

The USAID funded project has many other key contributors including Child Fund Senegal. The NGOs distribute the song at the community level to decision makers such as community leaders, mothers, grandmothers, and heads of households. The song is also broadcast on the radio and discussed in awareness raising sessions.
Surround Sound: Senegal involves community-based maternal and child health services as well as the President’s Malaria Initiative.

Find out more about how the Surround Sound campaign works within Senegal and how great work is being done in the prevention of malaria on the Malaria No More site here.