MALARIA’S GLOBAL IMPACT ON CHILDREN

According to the World Health Organization, “In Africa, about 285,000 children died before their fifth birthdays in 2016. Malaria remains a major killer of children, taking the life of a child every two minutes.”

Preventing diseases like malaria so that kids everywhere can grow up healthy and pursue their dreams has been the goal of Because International’s Bednet Buddy project. 

BEDNET BUDDY AND MALARIA

Developing the Bednet Buddy from a concept to the first order of 1000 completed bednets has taken over three years. The process of innovation is long and complicated requiring a number of starts and stops, tests and improvements. Because International is committed to the process and to the cycle of innovation that not only results in products but also in local production and more innovation from other entrepreneurs. 

While evaluating the Bednet Buddy in its developed and distributed form, Because International has determined that it will not serve as the most viable solution for reducing the effects of malaria on children in poverty. 

The Bednet Buddy was designed to function differently than the average bednet by being self-standing, fully enclosed, and portable. Achieving these features has proven to be cost-prohibitive to manufacture and transport. Additionally, these features in the current design present concerns for usability and durability over time in the contexts where the product is most needed. 

STEPPING AWAY FROM THE BEDNET BUDDY

For these reasons and others, Because International will no longer be pursuing the Bednet Buddy. “We are committed to exploring innovative ideas for alleviating poverty. But if we reach a point where a product isn’t going to do enough to reduce poverty, be sustainable, or help with long term economic development, we aren’t going to keep pursuing it just because of the initial investment. We’ve learned a lot from the process that we can apply in other projects and in other ways,” said Because International president Andrew Kroes.

The Bednet Buddy ticked many boxes for the mission of Because International and deserved the time and attention needed to determine its potential. Despite discontinuing production of this product, the time and resources put into it will not go to waste. With nearly 1,000 Bednet Buddies already in use worldwide and a better understanding of the production and cost challenges surrounding it, Because is thrilled to have done some good and to be more prepared to develop the next innovative product. 

Since the problem of malaria and its disproportionate effect on children in poverty still exists, it is still of concern to Because International. Kroes said, “We are looking for ways to continue our involvement in finding a solution to this problem that is innovative, affordable, sustainable, and in line with our mission. We hope that will be able to put all that we have learned to work helping other entrepreneurs in the Because Accelerator.”