Hamza Ibrahim Kamara

Hamza Ibrahim Kamara (17), is from Sierra Leone. Growing up, Hamza watched children in his community struggle with limited access to healthcare and education, and saw how young people were often left out of decisions that shaped their own lives. These preventable challenges, health problems, dropout, and exclusion, motivated him to step up and take action.

Hamza led peer-to-peer health education sessions covering hygiene, disease prevention, reproductive health, and mental wellbeing, helping young people make informed choices about their own health. He advocated for school attendance and retention, reaching out to children at risk of dropping out and reminding families that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege. He also created safe spaces where children and young people could speak up, share concerns, and participate in conversations that directly affect their wellbeing.

Through consistent grassroots work in health, education, and youth participation, Hamza has helped young people in his community make healthier choices, stay in school, and find their voice. His work shows that real change often starts with simply listening to children and giving them a seat at the table.