An old Adidas shoebox, once home to a pair of shoes, holds money to save lives. The microbiology class calls it “change for change.”

Sophomore Ashley Brown came up with the idea after working on a project in microbiology class.

Professor of Biology Darcy Russell divided the class into three groups, each with a different topic: HIV/AIDS, malaria and cholera. Brown’s group worked on malaria.

Russell said the students not only focused on the disease as found in a country of their choice in Africa, but also on the mosquito that carries malaria. <br/>Russell wanted the students to see the difference in American diseases as opposed to those in Africa. One such difference is poverty.Russell wanted the students to see the difference in American diseases as opposed to those in Africa. One such difference is poverty.
Russell wanted the students to see the difference in American diseases as opposed to those in Africa. One such difference is poverty.

“They found that malaria induces poverty, and poverty goes back to malaria. They just reinforce each other,” Russell said.

In addition to studying the causes of malaria, the group also researched prevention methods.

Brown said one way of malaria prevention is with mosquito nets.

These nets can last a family four years and can help keep four to six people from getting bit by mosquitoes with malaria.

“It’s the nets they can’t afford with the cost of living,” Brown said.

With that knowledge, the class decided to focus on raising money to purchase mosquito nets through www.nothingbutnets.org. 

People purchase the nets through this Web site, and they send them to Africa based on families’ needs.

Since the beginning of February, students from the microbiology class have been dropping money into a shoebox before or after class.

Russell said students drop in whatever they have, sometimes 50 cents, sometimes four pennies.

They also keep a jar in the science main office, and have had some contributions from other university professors.

So far, they have raised $70, which will cover the cost of seven nets.

They plan to keep raising money until the end of the semester, and then they’ll count it up and send it off. Brown said the goal is to raise $100.

“We’re on our way,” Brown said.

Students studying other topics also got involved in raising the money.

Sophomore Sharrod Greene participated in the HIV/AIDS group, but he is eager to help raise money for the nets.

“It was a great idea Ashley came up with, and I’m happy to donate. It makes me feel good,” Greene said.

Greene also said raising money for the nets is very important.

“These nets save four to six lives. That’s a lot of lives we’re saving,” Greene said.

Russell said she is proud of the class because the students generated the project idea themselves and they are learning about a certain topic and want to give back.

“It means the world to me,” Russell said.