Race Against the Clock opens at Circuit Park Zandvoort

The exposition Race Against the Clock, ‘The Malaria No More Challenge’ will be officially opened at 11 a.m. on Whit Monday (24 May 2010) at Circuit Park Zandvoort. Arjan Erkel, Director of Malaria No More! Netherlands, will receive a cheque from the first business sponsor and officially start the Race Against the Clock campaign.

Race Against the Clock, ‘The Malaria No More Challenge’ is an awareness raising campaign aimed at explaining to children aged 9 to 12 how important fighting malaria is in developing countries. Children can learn about malaria and the work Malaria No More! Netherlands does in two ways:

1. Visit the exposition tents during races

During the Dutch GT4 races at Circuit Park Zandvoort kids can visit the three tents and take part in a range of activities. For example, in one tent they can play a computer game in which they virtually race to the project supported by Malaria No More in Sierra Leone. The virtual race will take them through different countries. They'll stop for petrol and they'll distribute mosquito nets to the local population on their way. But they’ll have to drive fast because one child dies of malaria every 30 seconds. It's a race against the clock! In another tent, they can watch a film about living with malaria in an African village. Pupils can watch short animated films that explain what malaria is, how it can be prevented and how we can help from the Netherlands.

2. Special programme for schools on Fridays

Elementary school pupils can visit the expo tents at Circuit Park Zandvoort with their teachers on Fridays for a more comprehensive programme. Friday's the training day for all of the teams that will be racing at the weekend, so pupils can take a tour of the circuit guided by a real driver, whom they can ask whatever they want. Every pupil will be given a ‘Race against the clock’ t-shirt, a cap, a backpack and a key cord. The folder provides information on the severity of malaria and what Malaria No More is doing to eradicate it. In addition to the normal offer of films and games, the pupils will be offered an extensive programme.

- Rap workshop and mosquito drawing contest
Under the guidance of Tariq Khan alias Mc Lazy, pupils will write their own rap about malaria and present it to each other later in the day. They can also draw mosquitoes and win prizes. This fast day will be filmed so the school has something nice to remember. We'll use the film to attract other schools to visit the expo tents.

- Teaching package and contributing to a good cause
Before the classes come to the circuit, teachers can download a teaching package from www.racetegendeklok.nu/lespakket.htm and spend one or more lessons talking about malaria and its devastating effects. A number of films and songs will be offered and pupils will carry out exploration and puzzle assignments to learn about the mosquito, the parasite, malaria and humans.

Everyone can contribute to the 'Race Against the Clock'. The kids can sell t-shirts, caps, mosquito swatters and bottles of DEET through the school. The proceeds will go to Malaria No More. Direct contributions that give an African family a mosquito net can also be made.

Visit the expo with your class

The first 100 pupils will visit the expo tents for a more comprehensive programme on Friday May 21. We hope a lot of schools will follow suit and visit the expo at Circuit Park Zandvoort. Experience the challenge! There is still room for schools on the following Fridays: 25 June, 27 August, 17 September, 8 October. Other dates may be agreed. The exposition is free, but you do have to book in advance. For questions, call Maarten Jansen at 0652- 394 054. For more information, see http://www.racetegendeklok.nu/