UNDER THE NET CHALLENGE
Take action in the fight to end malaria: one net, one night, one club at a time.
ABOUT
Mosquitoes transmit malaria, a preventable disease that continues to take hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) are one of the most effective tools for prevention, creating a barrier against bites and helping reduce transmission across communities.
The Under the Net Challenge gives Rotarians in non-endemic countries a chance to step into this reality. Sleeping under a mosquito net may not be familiar, or comfortable, but taking on that discomfort can deepen your understanding of what families in malaria-affected communities face every night. This challenge is not just about fundraising. It is about building connection and solidarity with fellow Rotarians who are leading malaria control efforts in their own communities. It is only by understanding how others live that we can truly begin to partner with our fellow Rotarians.
By sleeping under a mosquito net and rallying funds, your club directly supports Rotarian-led projects through our Community Impact Grants. These grants fund initiatives that provide malaria education, distribute bed nets, train community health workers, and expand access to essential healthcare.
YOUR ROTARY CLUB CAN TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE!
- U.S.A Clubs can receive a shipped toolkit with a mosquito net (this challenge does not use ITNs) and access to our digital toolkit
- International Clubs (outside the U.S.) can use our digital toolkit and purchase a net locally
- Clubs in Malaria-Endemic Regions can get connected with a club participating in the challenge to share insights and engage with fellow Rotarians
HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKs
The Under the Net Challenge is flexible. Rotary Clubs can choose to participate as a group or support one individual member through a sponsored challenge.Both formats promote awareness, raise funds, and deepen our engagement in the fight to end malaria.
1. Download the Toolkit
Sign up for the challenge to access the digital toolkit, which includes everything you need to introduce and complete the challenge. Participants outside of the USA will need to purchase a bed/mosquito net to simulate the experience.
2. Present to Your Club
Introduce the challenge at a meeting using the toolkit’s slides, pledge sheets, and resources to learn more about the challenge, malaria prevention, and the work being done by Rotarians in malaria-endemic regions.
3. Choose How Your Club will Participate
Clubs can take on the challenge together as a club or sponsor an individual member.
Individual Fundraising Challenge Example: “Our club wants to raise $xx. Each night a member will sleep under the net until we reach our goal."
Individual Fundraising Challenge Example: “I’m raising $x to support MPI. Each night I’ll sleep under the net until I meet my goal. Sponsor me with $x per night or make a one-time gift.”
Option 1:
CLUB FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE
Your Rotary Club sets a fundraising target and multiple members sleep under the net each night until the goal is reached.
Option 2:
INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE
One member of your Rotary Club sleeps under the net each night and collects pledges from fellow Rotarians or sponsors until the goal is reached.
4. Take on the Challenge
Sleep under a net, gather pledges, and share your progress on social media or in club newsletters to raise awareness and support.
5. Submit Your Impact
Collect donations, submit totals online with our custom link, or by mail via check, and share feedback (using our form) so MPI can recognize your club’s efforts.
HOW it started
The ‘Under The Net Challenge’, initiated by Elizabeth Barnhart of the Rotary Club of Duvall, sheds light on the hurdles millions of people face sleeping under a mosquito net each night. Elizabeth received a government-issued mosquito net from the Hope Kansanga Rotaract Club during her visit to Uganda.
PAST PARTICIPANTS
“The more that people are aware of the circumstances of others, the more understanding we can be of their struggles. Here in the USA, we have the ability to enact change on a grand scale. With broader knowledge and ample resources, we can help the malaria cause even more."
-Danielle R. Rotary Club of Duvall, Under the Net Challenge Participant
“Each night as I crawl under the net to sleep, I’m thinking about the people who, to protect themselves from malaria, sleep under the net each night. I’ve been trying to come up with three words each night to describe what I’m thinking. With only one night under the net so far, my three words are grace, warmth and solidarity.”
- Laura C., Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, Under the Net Challenge Participant
Malaria Partners International
Our Mission: To ignite an international Rotarian campaign to end malaria.
Malaria Partners International
GET INVOLVED