There's a great piece by Sonia Shah in yesterday's Los Angeles Times about malaria nets. As she points out, the nets are a nifty low-cost solution to the malaria problem -- effective, inexpensive to produce and easy to transport and distribute. Especially in Africa, where malaria continues to impact millions each year, the nets are a great answer.

If only everyone used them. And that's where the problem lies.

While Westerners shoot hoops in terrific programs like Nothing But Nets or donate $10 while watching "American Idol" to provide a bed net, it's well known that many of the nets -- up to half by some estimates -- are never used. Shah does a great job in her piece of pointing out why: not only are the nets incredibly hot to sleep under in the sub-Saharan heat, but many Africans see malaria the way we view the flu, as temporary and easily overcome.

I'm not saying we should abandon the bed net program. Clearly it's reaching millions and if only some of them are used it's still an effective and affordable program.

But the question we all must ask is "were questions ever asked?" Did anyone ever seek out the advice and counsel of the people who would use these nets? Did anyone ever empower the people on the ground to come up with their own solutions and then look for ways to fund them?

"We're from the West, we're here to help" is a flop. "We're from the West, we're here to do it for you" is worse. "We're here to support you as you build your future" is a winning, empowering strategy.