For over a year, 28-year-old Nakawooya Irene, a resident of Bweyogerere Division in Uganda, struggled with a relentless cycle of malaria in her household. The most affected was her four-year-old son, Nathan, who suffered from malaria twice a month, forcing Irene to spend nearly 200,000 UGX on each hospital visit. This frequent illness took a toll on her work, ultimately leading her to resign due to constant absences.

“At some point, I thought it was witchcraft because the sickness just wouldn’t stop,” Irene recalls.

Everything changed when Mwajuma Namugaya, a dedicated Community Health Worker, stepped in. Concerned about the family’s repeated infections, Mwajuma introduced Irene to the power of prevention.

She recommended simple but effective measures: sleeping under mosquito nets, clearing drainages, replacing mosquito-breeding plants with natural repellent ones, closing the house before 6 p.m., and maintaining overall hygiene practices such as washing hands and drinking boiled water.

“I was hesitant at first, but after just one month of following the CHW’s advice, no one in my household fell sick. Three years later, we are still malaria-free!” says Irene.

Now a champion for change, Irene shares her experience with neighbors, making Mwajuma’s work even easier. “CHWs make a real difference because they focus on prevention, not just treatment,” she adds.

Thanks to Mwajuma and the power of simple preventive measures, Irene’s family has regained their health, financial stability, and peace of mind. Malaria truly ends with us—through reinvestment, reimagining solutions, and reigniting the fight for a malaria-free future.