Mosquito Net Against Malaria Huge Success
After many months of preparation and a few sleepless nights, we were ready for Tuesday 7 June 2011, the day on which the Euromast in Rotterdam was draped in a huge mosquito net to reflect just how big the malaria problem is.
After a night of hard work finishing the mosquito net, which was made of 19 km of rope, the hoisting could begin. In the early hours of June 7, 70 volunteers gathered in the field near the Euromast. Among the volunteers were a number of sponsors and politicians from Rotterdam. The media also gathered in large numbers to observe the spectacle from close by.
The volunteers laid the mosquito net around the Euromast so that the technicians could fasten it to the 65 hoisting cables that Height Specialists had attached to the Euromast the day before. The cables were then handed to the volunteers, and the hoisting of the mosquito net began.
A small technical problem slowed down the hoisting, but it didn't af
fect the result. From the café at the top to the entrance to the tower at the bottom, some 100 metres of the Euromast were draped in a mosquito net. The sight was spectacular both from close up and afar.
In the afternoon, the Zomertour organized by 100%NL Formido was set up at the foot of the Euromast. It's a conspicuous retro-truck in which Dutch artists perform. The event was presented by Colin Banks (radio DJ at 100%NL). The spectators were treated to an intimate music performance by Mike & Colin, Judith, Wesley Klein (Popstars 2010 winner), Dean Saunders (Popstars 2011 winner) and Jannes.
MC Lazy, the Millennium Development Goal rapper, performed a rap about combating malaria. Passersby, Rotterdammers and Euromast volunteers enjoyed the cheerful music and the sun.
Unfortunately, the Euromast had to be undraped at the end of the day, but the action has taken us one step further in the fight against malaria.
We would like to thank all of the volunteers and sponsors for their fantastic contributions and efforts!
For photos, click on Facebook or on Flickr Creatieve Koppen
To see a film about the preparations, click here
To see a film about draping the Euromast, clicke here
For media publications, see In the News
