November 6, 2009: Malaria researchers meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, this week say they are now conducting the last phase of testing for a malaria vaccine specifically to help the African population. Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness that kills a million African children a year. So far, the vaccine seems to have the ability to thwart the disease in about half the children tested.

The trials, carried out by the drug company GlaxoSmithKline and the Malaria Vaccine Initiative, are being conducted on 16,000 children under 18 months old in seven African countries. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is partially supporting the project, which so far has cost $500 million.

The vaccine has been under development for two decades. If deemed safe, it could be on the market in three to five years. To date, mosquito nets and spraying have been the primary weapons against malaria.

SOS Children's Villages Raises African Children Orphaned by Disease

The malaria vaccine is designed to prevent the African strain of malaria. Millions of Africans contract the disease every year, causing economic devastation to families.

Across Africa, illnesses such as malaria and AIDS exacerbate poverty, which creates orphans and children whose parents are unable to provide for them. SOS Children's Villages, a charity with 60 years of experience, is on site in 44 African countries to offer desperate children a warm home, a loving SOS mother, and SOS siblings.

In Kenya, for instance, where the malaria conference is being held, SOS operates four Children's Villages and a complement of youth facilities, kindergartens, schools, counselling centers, and clinics. SOS Children's Villages in Buru Buru (outside Nairobi), and in Mombasa, Eldoret, and Meru are raising children in a safe, nurturing environment.

Giving a Child Tenderness and Hope

Children playing in an SOS Children's Village in Nairobi, Kenya

Besides the life-long love of an SOS mother, children fortunate enough to have been brought to the attention of SOS Children's Villages receive the attention and education they need to become productive adults.

Consider donating the small amount of money it takes to bring happiness and a future to an African child. Sponsor an SOS child today.