How One Union City High School Student Raised $1,000 for the Fight Against Malaria

Aniruddh Mandalapu, a student from Moreau Catholic High School, founded an organization known as The Fight Against Malaria. Mandalapu’s passion to eradicate malaria has been fueled by the strong impact that malaria documentaries had on him as a child as well as the nature of the disease.

Malaria, though a curable disease, can be fatal and is still rampant worldwide; subsequently, a child dies every minute of the disease. Mandalapu founded the organization hoping to help make the whole world malaria-free, just as the United States is today.

On August 10th, Mandalapu led the organization’s first fundraiser with the assistance of sponsorships from Safeway, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and many other organizations.

Centered on a Taekwondo demonstration from Mandalapu’s Choi’s Martial Arts Demo Team colleagues, the event featured prolific and entertaining board breaking, self-defense demonstrations, and form presentation that rallied the local community. The demonstration team, featuring Kevin Richardson, David Valencia, Aniruddh, Kenneth Richardson, Lawrence Adug, Matthew Adug, Mikayla Gonzaga, Josh Gonzaga, and Allan Paulen, put together a stunning performance, drawing ample applause from the crowd.

The admirable performance, along with food and raffles, prompted over $1,000 dollars in donations to join the $1,300 dollars previously raised by The Fight Against Malaria.

To join the cause or donate, contact The Fight Against Malaria.

—Information and photo submitted by The Fight Against Malaria