Photo Credit: COURTESY MALARIA NO MORE (2)

Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle Give Back With Malaria No More

The season six contestants talk to Us about their experiences - and encourage fans to donate

In the year since appearing on American Idol, season six contestant Melinda Doolittle and winner Jordin Sparks have traveled the globe working to help eradicate malaria as ambassadors for Malaria No More. As Idol Gives Back, which has designated MNM as a beneficiary for the second year in a row, airs on April 9, Sparks, 18, and Doolittle, 30, chat with Us about their goodwill trips to Africa.

First learning of Malaria No More and the disease on Idol Gives Back, the performers were moved to act as soon as their schedule would allow. Doolittle was the first contestant to partner with the organization, traveling to Zambia in June 2007, with Sparks following suit in February 2008 visiting Ghana. Both women traveled with First Lady Laura Bush.

For Sparks, the call to action was one she’ll never forget. “One day my Mom called me up and said ‘Laura Bush is wondering if you would like to go with her [to Ghana].’ And I was like ‘What?!’ You don’t get a message like that every day!” Doolitttle agrees. “[Traveling was] the perfect opportunity for me. We were in rehearsals for the tour and I missed a few, but it was more than worth it,” she enthuses.

The singers had few qualms about traveling to the areas most affected by the mosquito-borne disease, which claims the life of a child every 30 seconds. And once they arrived, the life changing experiences began.

“It just blew my mind the things that we take for granted, like clean water or the fact that we can put on bug repellent and not be worried about mosquitoes around us,” Doolittle explains. “However, even though the community [in Zambia] is stricken by something like Malaria, they have a hope like no other. Just $10 [for a bed net] can save a family. You’d spend that if you went to Starbucks twice!”

Malaria No More spokesperson Martin Edlund echoes Doolittle’s statement. “Donations provide life-saving insecticide-treated bed nets for pregnant women and children under five and every $10 bed net protects two people at risk of malaria infection,” he said. "We are so grateful that Jordin and Melinda have used their talents to help shine a spotlight on the burden of malaria. They are incredible role models as well as Idols."

In Ghana, Sparks connected most, she says, with the children. “There was this one little boy who went everywhere I was! It’s eye opening because you think that when you go there, everything will be in such devastation, but….they are so happy and don’t know anything is different. They’re just happy with what they had and happy with each other.”

How can Idol fans help eradicate malaria? Education is key, says Sparks, who will be giving back through song on this year’s IGB. “On Idol Gives Back last year, producers took us into the edit room to see clips [of poverty-stricken areas] so we knew why we were doing this and what we were raising for.” Adds Doolittle, “As Americans we want to help, but sometimes we don’t know what’s going on. Once we’re educated on how to help, we do it.

“You see immediate results when you give, and it’s really exciting,” Doolittle confirms. “You’re not just changing lives – you’re saving them!”

Idol Gives Back airs April 9 on FOX.

BY ALLISON CORNEAU