Joshua, 16, Nigeria
Basic need(s):
Education, Health
Project:
Children/Adolescents for a Smoke Free Environment (CASE)
When Joshua was a child his uncle passed away from lung cancer. The loss had an immeasurably profound effect on him. “It filled me with a passion for educating and motivating other young people to stay away from tobacco as my uncle began smoking when he was a child and continued into adulthood, even when cancer struck.” Joshua created “CASE” (Children/Adolescents for a Smoke Free Environment), an affiliate of Teens Working Against Tobacco (Project TWAT). As the leader of CASE Joshua conducts various speaking engagements throughout auditoriums, classrooms and even churches where he sings and plays piano. Though the presentations are always fun-filled and light, their message is anything but. “People really don’t realize the dangers of smoking until it is too late. Hopefully they can learn from me before…it is over.” Joshua uses various tactics to promote his appearances including posters and banners. He has even been featured on radio and television numerous times. In June of 2009, Joshua’s efforts were recognized with an invitation to the “Global Changemaker’s Event” sponsored by the British Council.
