Kudos to Underwood, Big Kenny Africa efforts

Kudos to Carrie Underwood for pushing the effort to combat malaria in Africa. In early May, Underwood went to Angola to publicize and participate in the battle. Underwood, an American Idol winner, went to the southern African country as part of the American Idol "Idol Gives Back" charity effort.

Underwood delivered bed nets and backpacks with school supplies at an orphanage. The bed nets help prevent people being bitten by mosquitoes and contracting malaria. She later visited a health center helping pregnant women with malaria counseling and treatment.

Africa has been the focus of Kenny Alphin of Big & Rich fame as well. He has visited Darfur to publicize the slaughter of residents in that region of Sudan. He also staged a concert in Nashville to publicize the problems.

Both deserve much credit for giving a higher profile to such causes. It's a lot easier to do a hometown or Nashville-based benefit - of course, those also are commendable - but to go to Africa and make a big statement is particularly deserving of praise.

For more on how you can help fight Malaria in Africa, visit Nothing But Nets.