New Animated Series Tackling Malaria And Other Environmental Health Hazards Launches In Observation of World Malaria Day

Peini, the Ghanaian socially conscious cosmetic brand has partnered with LEAP Transmedia and Environment360 for a program in observance of World Malaria Day on 25th April to launch the release of an all new animated series, Jaku and the Earth Defenders which aims to build awareness and encourage children to take action addressing environmental challenges in their communities. 

The launch event will take from 3pm-5pm at the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) in Jamestown, Accra. 

In addition to the Jaku and the Earth Defenders premier, children in the area will also be treated to a tour around the Jaku and the Earth Defenders Mobile Gallery, an episode of Ubongo Kids—also focused on Malaria awareness, prizes and giveaways courtesy of Peini who will donate samples of their all natural, 100% DEET-free citronella, neem and shea butter mosquito repellent.

The first episode of Jaku and the Earth Defenders, “Malaria Madness,” finds the Earth Defenders, a team of eco-heros that, despite community mocking, are determined to clean their neighborhood and learn to make useful and creative items from rescued waste, cleaning up a community center after ongoing incidents of Malaria plague the children frequenting the area.

“Eradicating and preventing deaths caused by infant malaria in Ghana and throughout Africa is an issue that Peini is committed to. We regularly distribute our natural shea based Insect Repellent to families in rural and impoverished communities and educate them on malaria prevention methods.

We are excited to partner with LEAP Transmedia and Environment360 on this World Malaria Day program to educate, inform and potentially save young lives,” shares Yaw Adu Gyamfi Poku, a chemical engineer, social entrepreneur and founder of Peini who was recently recognized by Coca Cola as one of 60 Young Leaders in Ghana and nominated for a 2017 GUBA Made in Ghana Products Award.

Hosting the World Malaria Day program at the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) is significant because the organization recently completed a community assessment at the nearby Ussher Polyclinic revealing malaria and hepatitis as the most prevalent outpatient cases at the clinic.

“We believe that content such as Jaku and the Earth Defenders is an important addition to the library of information available to communities, children in particular, about public health challenges such as malaria. We are happy to be among the messengers championing this year’s World Malaria Day theme ‘End Malaria for Good’ by using media and community engagement to inform children about the ways that they can prevent the spread of malaria in their daily lives,” says Florence Amerley Adu, LEAP Transmedia Co-founder and CEO.

The four-part health series will be available to the National Malaria Control Programme, other NGOs and media outlets to further distribute this content after the launch. It will also be distributed via social media on Facebook, YouTube and Whatsapp.

“As the creators of the Jaku and the Earth Defenders concept, Environment360 is excited to see how a project which started as a mobile gallery in schools has become a formal platform for educating even more children and the public on the impact sanitation has on the environment. Among our goals is to promote conscious consumption and production practices attracting the attention of children in Ghana and the Diaspora,” adds Cordie Aziz, CEO and Founder of Environment360.

Children and Families are welcome to the attend the launch event program on 25th April from 3pm-5pm at the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) in Jamestown, Accra.