Nov 18, 2009 7:00 pm US/Eastern
Brotherly Love: Girl, 8, Saves African Lives
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
There's a little girl in Downingtown who has probably saved the lives of 20,000 people. She doesn't have extraordinary skills, except for a caring heart. Eight-year-old Katherine Commale listened as her mother told her a story about malaria. Katherine immediately wanted to do something.
Welcome to Uganda. That sound you hear on the video provided by Lynda Commale is their way of saying thank you to a little girl thousands of miles from the African village.
"I was like, wow. I guess I did a pretty good job sending over all those nets over," said Katherine.
The nets that Katherine is talking about are mosquito nets that women use to protect their children from mosquitoes that carry malaria.
The World Health Organization says in one year, one million people will die from the disease.
Three years ago, Katherine wanted to do something to help. She encouraged people to donate $10 and she would send you a decorated thank you certificate.
"It was just so unbelievably emotional," said Katherine's mom, Lynda Commale.
Lynda traveled to Uganda to help pass out the nets they collected. She says, she's still in awe at what her little girl has done.
"It just goes to show you that anyone at any age with just a little bit of fire in them can do some really, really wonderful things," said Lynda.
How wonderful? In three years, 8-year-old Katherine has raised more than $117,000.
She's now a goodwill ambassador and spokesperson for the organization Nothing But Nets. She speaks to hundreds at a time and shares the stage with world leaders like President Bill Clinton. But what she's most proud of is knowing one child can save an entire village.
Katherine's message is simple:"Send a net, save a life."
Katherine continues to ask for donations, and she would love to send you one of her thank you certificates.
NOTE: This text version was updated from our broadcast version based on new information from Nothing But Nets.
RELATED LINK:
Nothing But Nets
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