Omphile, 16, Botswana

Basic need(s):

Health, Education

Project:

Distributing mosquito nets and educating citizens about malaria

Malaria, a dangerous and deadly disease spread by mosquitoes, has become an epidemic in Botswana. Omphile, dreaming of a malaria-free Botswana by 2016, seeks to prevent malaria and raise awareness about malaria prevention by distributing mosquito nets to villagers, since most small villages do not know about the dangers of malaria nor how to prevent it. She also works to spread information about malaria to people in small villages because most do not have radios or televisions to learn about the disease and its dangers. Omphile hopes to acquire the help of important media figures, like her idol Oprah Winfrey, to build awareness about her project and malaria prevention.

Photo: Benjamin Quinto