You might also like
Lazarus Eze
Lazarus Eze is a public health physician, health policy advocate…
Christopher Haggarty-Weir
I am currently undertaking doctoral research into malaria vaccine targets…
Joseph Gotesman
Oluwamayowa Salu
Salu is the founder of The Iba - Malaria Eradication…
Alessandro Lauria
United states
Alessandro Lauria, age 15, is the founder of the Malaria Defense Project. A 3-time survivor of malaria, he wanted to do something to help so he turned to social media. Since November 2012, his foundation has raised enough to purchase and distribute close to 2000 insecticide treated bednets in sub-Saharan Africa. Through online auctions on Facebook as well as his Facebook page and Twitter feed, Alessandro has not only raised funds but also awareness of this deadly illness which kills 1 child under 5 every minute. His current Facebook campaign to raise enough for 2000 nets for Ghana this year, is halfway to the goal. http://www.malariadefenseproject.org/index.html
Comments
Susan Wong
2015-07-03 06:12I have had the honor of meeting Alessandro only a few times, along with his amazing and talented mom. What a team!!! Alessandro is truly taking the reins of his passions, as he is making his way in the world at large. What a true inspiration he is for me, in my own life. Many great and wonderful things are possible with his efforts in our world. I back him 1000%, with LOVE!
Crystal Hunter
2015-06-22 04:38Alessandro Lauria is not your typical teenager. When I finally met him, he was about 7. He was determined and so smart that I could not quite grasp who this kid was. When I met him in 2007, I had no idea he would be traveling the world as part of the young leaders changing the world. THIS KID is someone we will be seeing for a while. What is one of the neatest things is how SOCIAL MEDIA has been able to connect this teenager with people from all over the world. I get chills thinking about it. Thinking about how social media has changed lives simple because we were able to connect the right resources and people. Let me tell you what happened. I grew up in Ohio and was a Kiwanis family member. My former advisor, in Ohio, posted on Facebook that she had a Kiwanis family member who needed help getting nets for her village, where she was serving in the Peace Corps. I commented on the post that I had JUST THE KID, literally a kid, to help with this. Voila, some magic and Katherine, living in Africa, was connected with Alessandro thousands of miles away. She has since received nets to give to her village. I have had my friends hear about this and donate money. What is crazier is that Katherine and I attended the same college! This story really has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Alessandro. Had he not started this organization, hundreds of people would not be living safely under a net. Facebook was the catalist to get Katherine the resources to help her community! It blows my mind that I can forgo a Starbucks to give a family a safe place to sleep. I can totally do that! For Alessandro to educate people in America on something we take for granted is worth this award ten-fold. I can't wait to see what he is going to do when he grows up. His experience, his maturity, and his support is one of a kind. THIS kid is going to go huge places in the coming years and I hope he wins this.
Michelle Charvat
2015-06-18 04:32Alessandro is a true leader and has made an important impact in the world through his foundation, Malaria Defense Project Nets in Action. I have the utmost respect for him and look forward to seeing the change he will continue to bring to the world.
Judith lauria
2015-06-17 14:53A wonderful example of what a young teen can accomplish with hard work, and a passion to help others, a true leader with compassion and empathy for those that malaria may touch.
Carter Ries
2015-06-15 13:15An amazing and dedicated young man who deserves this 100%
Vickie Francis
2015-06-15 06:45I have known Alessandro since he was a toddler. Not only is he striving to make changes in the world, but he is an excellent student and an active member of his home community. He is loving and caring, wanting to cuddle every baby and help every injured animal. I am honored to count him as a friend, despite our three decade age difference, and love his inclusive nature.
Fran Toler
2015-06-14 23:49Alessandro started this campaign when he was 12 and has grown along with the project. He works hard to raise money for nets, and awareness among other young people. He is Lear ing how to make his net distributions as effective as possible. His project is a real inspiration to others!
Dawn Skowronnek
2015-06-14 14:30I met Alessandro when he and my son were part of the Global Teen Leaders 2014 class (ThreeDotDash.org). Alessandro was participating in this amazing program because of his work on behalf of malaria. Because Alessandro knows first-hand what it's like to have malaria, having had it 3 times before the age of 5 while living in Ghana, he decided to do something about the situation and founded the Malaria Defense Project. Alessandro is determined to help others ward off the deadly illness and his foundation, Malaria Defense Project — Nets in Action, has already distributed over 1,800 insecticide-treated nets to villages in sub-Saharan African countries. Alessandro shares his storie and movement in his local community in Colorado. He gives presentations to local schools, civic organizations and church groups and has spread awareness about malaria and the importance of eradicating this disease that kills over 600,000 people globally each year; because no child should ever have to die from a mosquito bite. I am always inspired and impressed when a young person believes he can make an impact and takes the necessary steps to achieve their goal. We need more young leaders like Alessandro - our future depends on it.