Malaria seems to be a disease that lives in the past. However, in fact, hundreds of millions of people get infected with malaria every year around the world, with 90% of the cases happening in Africa. Malaria issue is closely related with poverty and has severely damaged economic growth. It results in the increasing expense in medical treatment and public health and the diminishing labor force, bringing fatal impact on tourism industry.

With the efforts of many public welfare organizations, many anti-malaria programs have been launched in Africa. Numerous charitable people contributed to the war against malaria. Among them is a girl who made an important decision at the age of 11. She started the “Dr. Panda” plan, aiming to fight against malaria by raising donations for tents and nets to prevent African children from being bitten by mosquitoes so as to stop the spread of malaria.

This girl is Linda Zheng, a G5 student of Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy. This May, as one of the initiators of Dr Panda plan, she visited UNAIDS headquarter at Geneva and UNESCO headquarter at Paris with the Sino-Africa chamber of commerce delegation, participated in the “high-level conference on the exchanges of public health innovation” held in Geneva and made a speech on the conference.

Linda’s dad run businesses in Angola, Africa throughout the year. Because of this reason, Linda has heard a lot of stories from Africa from dad, including some that she cannot imagine, one of which is malaria. Facing the cruel fact that children die of malaria every two minutes, Linda feel the vulnerability of life for the first time. She decided to so something for African children. She understands that malaria can be spread by mosquitoes. So, she hopes that children in Africa can be protected away from mosquitoes and grow healthily. Therefore, Linda launched “Dr Panda anti-malaria plan” with two of her friends. They started the program from donating mosquito nets for mothers and children in Africa.

On the 21st of May, with the witness of Mr Michel Sidibé, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and incumbent Minister of Health and Social Affairs of Mali, Madam Gunilla Carlsson, acting executive director of UNAIDS, as well as over 150 guests from various nations, “Dr. Panda anti-malaria plan” has officially kickstarted in UN headquarter in Geneva. Linda told us that food supply is another big issue. She believes that it is very important for the local people to realize the severity of these diseases and the preventative methods. “I may think more about how to help these African children to have the knowledge and raise awareness in the future.” She says.

Linda Zheng transferred to Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy from a well-known international school when she was in grade three. “At that time, CKWA was newly built. After discussion with my family, we decided that CKWA is a better fit for me no matter from facilities or from educational philosophy. There I am.” Linda has spent quite a happy life in CKWA. Because of her mom’s influence, Linda likes Chinese very much. “I love reading and writing. When I am not happy or too excited, I will do calligraphy. It helps me to calm down. Till now, I have never got a score under 90 in Chinese subject. I will keep this record.” From academic study to rich sports program, Linda enjoys her life at CKWA. “I like teachers here. I like the atmosphere at CKWA. I have made a lot of friends.”

We always say that “kids save kids”. Children’s participation and understanding on public welfare is undoubtedly the biggest preparation for charity in the future. The wish tree program of Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy is coming to an end. Charity lies in action. We wish every Kaiwen students who participated in the charity program can taste the fruit of growth.