A UN-backed campaign to raise awareness about malaria – which claims over 1 million lives annually – has a starring role on the season premiere of the hit television comedy, Ugly Betty.
Airing on October 16, the two-hour special will centre on the efforts by the main character, Betty Suarez, a young woman recently promoted to become the features editor at a fashion magazine, to draw attention to the “Nothing But Nets” scheme.
Under that campaign, the UN Foundation seeks to curb the spread of malaria by providing insecticide-treated bed nets, each costing Sh75, to communities in greatest need.
Malaria infects over 500 million people worldwide annually, killing more than 1 million people, the vast majority of whom are African children.
“Our storyline resonated with every member of our cast and crew,” said Richard Heusfrom, the show’s Executive Director.
One of the stars of Ugly Betty, Ana Ortiz, who recently gave birth to her first child, said that being a new mother has opened her eyes to the need to help vulnerable children around the world.
Ugly Betty is the first-ever television comedy series to be filmed at the UN, and its shooting came about through the world body’s Creative Community Outreach Initiative (CCOI).
Africans (and I'm one) beware when foreigners do such shows. The episode was an insult.
ReplyDeleteBotswana was potrayed as a charity basket case and one of the characters was dismayed that her sister's boyfriend was going to Africa to "live in a house of sticks."
Generally it was one of those white-people lets swoop in and care for those pitiful, pathetic, impoverished Africans. They really can't do anything without our help!!!