In June 2003, London-based Rob Mather gathered a couple of his friends to participate in a good cause. The beneficiary, a two-year-old girl named Terri, suffered 3rd degree burns in 90% of her body due to a house fire. Mather and his friends hoped to raise awareness – and donations – for Terri through a three-person swim, which materialized over the seven weeks that followed. At the end of the campaign, almost 10,000 people had participated in over 73 countries. Deeply overjoyed and overwhelmed, Mather decided that they can do more for thousands of suffering children, like Terri.

From 10,000 people, Mather aimed to get a million people to swim the following year, this time for victims of malaria. Such was the origin of Against Malaria Foundation (AMF), a non-profit organization set up in August 2004. AMF promises to do three things: use 100% of the money to buy insecticide treated nets, distribute them to as many heads possible, and show the world how they did it.

Following Mather’s footsteps, AMF organized and launched the World Swim Against Malaria (WSM) campaign in 2005, wherein over 250,000 people participated. In that particular campaign, $1.3 million was raised, and 100% of the proceeds were used to purchase 270,000 long-lasting insectidal nets (LLINs), which were distributed to protect 540,000 children from insect bites at night.

From WSM, the organization has also launched other initiatives and developed fundraising partnerships. Their partners, through AMF’s name, raise the funds needed to buy nets and distribute it to children and families living in areas prone to malaria.

AMF is among Giving What We Can’s recommended charities for its cost-effective solutions, transparency and self-monitoring, reduced cost of distribution, and positive ratings given by other charity evaluators.

From one man’s cause to a worldwide campaign to stop the spread of malaria, AMF has been a true model of charity and compassion.