The 22-year old determined to change the future of generations to come
Rwandan-born Divin became a malaria youth advocate after his brother’s battle with the disease. He believes that young people have the power to change the world.
Divin, aged 22, Rwanda
The symptoms came slowly, but for someone who has lived with malaria, they are all too familiar. First there are the heavy sweats, then you feel weak, tiredness and headaches - you know it’s malaria that’s coming.
Divin stands with a new generation who are committed to become the generation that ends malaria once and for all.
A 22-year-old student from Rwanda, he witnessed the devastating effects of malaria when his brother contracted the disease. He is aware of the lives malaria has taken and the destruction it has caused; especially for vulnerable people, children and pregnant women.
"When someone in your family has malaria, first of all everything stops. What I know about malaria, is that it’s a dangerous disease."
Through his brother’s illness, Divin saw not only the debilitating symptoms of malaria, but the issues left behind after the battle of overcoming the disease. After three days in the hospital, Divin's brother had a low mood and missed a week of school. It was a difficult time for his family as his brother recovered.
The experience of seeing a loved one suffer from malaria encouraged Divin to fight and put a spotlight on the significance of his generation.
"Youth is strength. So we can do something with the youth. If we start by stopping malaria now, even our children will be protected. Because we have already fought for everything."
Divin is committed to not allow the burden of malaria to get in the way of his life, or stop his future. When malaria affects one famiy, one friend or one relative, it affects everyone. At an impactful point in his life, it is important for Divin to see young people like him prospering towards their future and goals, not missing school or in hospital with malaria.
"So for me, the consequence of malaria, is that you can’t go forward. Malaria cannot affect one person, it affects all of them. Malaria cannot only affect the family, it can also affect the country, even the continent."
Divin is using his voice as a youth advocate to represent a generation that wants to eradicate malaria. He’s taken the time to be part of the Draw The Line Against Malaria campaign launch film because he wants to change not only his future, but the future of generations to come.
Join Divin and the Zero Malaria Starts With Me movement to end this disease for good. Draw The Line Against Malaria today.
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