Now a Social Network to Fight Malaria!

Now a Social Network to Fight Malaria!

Techtree News Staff, Apr 22, 2008 2008 hrs IST

Hadfield is now trying to use the power of social networking to curb Malaria that kills an estimated one million people a year, many of them in Africa.

With social networking fast permeating all aspects of life, a British entrepreneur is now working on a social networking site to fight Malaria. The Web site titled www.MalariaEngage.org is currently in beta, and encourages people to donate $10 or more to help support seven different research projects involving scientists in developing countries.

The initiative is being supported by Tom Hadfield, who at the age of 17 years sold a football Website - Soccer.net to ESPN for $40 million. Hadfield is now trying to use the power of social networking to curb Malaria that kills an estimated one million people a year, many of them in Africa. Moving beyond simply raising funds, MalariaEngage.org allows supporters to interact amongst themselves as well as researchers to get details of the projects being undertaken. It is possible to even keep tabs on the funds raised as well as how they're being utilized.

According to Hadfield, the site is not just about giving money -- it's about creating connections. This would encourage individuals to participate and get involved in projects, thus leading to the creation of an international community with common interests -- which is the essence of social networking.