Frazier Elementary School students celebrated National Make a Difference Day this year by collecting more than $500 in change for the Nothing But Nets Campaign.

Nothing But Nets is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Because the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches funds for the campaign raised by groups, 100 nets will be sent to Africa by Frazier students.

“Service projects such as this one leads kids to think of people other than themselves,” said Frazier’s principal Rhonda Parmer. “It helps them build awareness of problems that other people face. At the same time, we teach children to appreciate what they have and to focus on a spirit of joy.”

Nets are needed in parts of Africa because window screens are lacking and mosquitoes are a problem at night. The Nothing But Nets website notes the insecticide-treated bed nets as the most cost-effective way to prevent malaria transmission as each bed net only costs $10 to buy and deliver to individuals in need. One bed net can safely last a family up to four years.

Along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Nothing But Nets Campaign is also sponsored by the United Methodist Church and the NBA. Frazier students donating change for the campaign were allowed to go into the gym and shoot a basket.

Frazier students celebrate National Make a Difference Day every October, and Parmer said projects like this stress the spirit of helping others.

“Our students know that we expect more than just good behavior and outstanding academics here,” she said. “We also expect compassion and respect. Our students have daily conversations in class about how their actions impact other lives, and we talk about the difference in being helpful and hurtful.”

Parmer said this project also served as an educational opportunity for the students to learn about the geography of Africa and the reasons mosquitoes are a problem in its various parts. Students learned Africa is not a country, but a continent of 54 countries, which Parmer said are facts many adults have trouble remembering. She said students also learned about cultures, behaviors, needs and problems faced worldwide.

“It is very natural for little children to look at their world very egocentrically,” Parmer said. “We want to broaden our students’ view of the world as soon as possible to enable them to have the most time to think about ways in which to improve it and enjoy it. When our students realized many children don’t have beds or even a roof over their heads, it mad a tremendous impact on them. I would hope all of our students leave Frazier understanding the interdependence and unity of the human race.”