MDG #6 Combating HIV/AIDS

At a very young age, Shamin Mohamed Jr. was devastated to learn about the death of children through HIV and AIDS, where he learned that 40 innocent children die from HIV every hour. However, Shamin realized that there was a lack of emphasis put on children living with HIV and wanted to make a difference to prove that youth can make a strong impact on society. Shamin began his quest by writing a motto - All it takes is one action to make one dream a reality.

At the age of 15, Shamin took his first action and founded a registered Canadian charitable organization, Children’s AIDS Health Program (LetsStopAIDS), which focuses on educating youth about AIDS prevention and encouraging them to get involved with this global epidemic. Throughout the past two summers, LetsStopAIDS have had two international missions in South Africa and India, where we successfully impacted the lives of over 1500 children internationally, 20 000 nationally and helped distributed over 1500 condoms, 19 000 nutritional herbal supplements, 25 first aid kits and water purification systems for HIV clinics.

Now 19 years old, Shamin is in the Honours Baccalaureate of Health Sciences program at the University of Ottawa. Shamin is born in Toronto with a Guyanese background. He is the founder and president of Children’s AIDS Health Program (LetsStopAIDS).

Shamin Mohamed Jr. is a recipient of the DAREarts Leadership award and is one of the 2005 Canada’s ‘Top 20 Under 20’ for innovation, leadership and achievement. He has been the president of his middle school and high school. He was also the Toronto District School Board’s SuperCouncil President representing 86 000 secondary students in 103 secondary schools.

Shamin has been an inspirational speaker to thousands of youth across Canada promoting the message that youth can truly make a difference. Shamin, who has always been keen to take action and make a difference, started Children’s AIDS Health Program (LetsStopAIDS) from one small idea, which has now evolved into a national charitable organization.

Shamin is a humanitarian, inspirational speaker, a leader, and a follower that believes that everyone can achieve their dreams, once they strive for it.