How this UAE teen is saving lives in Africa

At 15, Dubai-based student Youssef Ben Mlouka, a teenager from Tunisia, was questioning why a child's chances of receiving life-saving heart treatment should depend on their family's financial means or connections. This prompted the creation of Awledna, a youth-led healthcare initiative that has rapidly grown in just under two years.

Mlouka raised over $110,000 and provides around 50 free cardiac screenings monthly, supporting 1-2 heart surgeries each month for children who might otherwise struggle to access care. Initially hesitant to convince people with words alone, he shifted his focus to tangible results, building an extensive educational library on congenital heart disease and working towards funding their first surgery.

Their success led to support from Taoufik Hospitals Group, helping Awledna form relationships with doctors, hospitals, and other supporters.

Mlouka emphasizes the importance of early detection, as congenital heart disease presents in various ways, and symptoms can easily be mistaken for less serious conditions. With collaboration from public hospitals, humanitarian organizations like Médecins du Monde, and digital platforms, Awledna raises awareness and provides care.

Growing up in Dubai, Mlouka's exposure to diverse cultures and swift development has shaped his ambitious approach. His school, North London Collegiate School Dubai, also instilled in him the importance of social responsibility through its three Cs: care, courtesy, and consideration.

Running a healthcare initiative during school has been challenging for Mlouka, but he has learned that honest and clear communication earns trust over time, and asking for help is not a weakness. He regularly measures the initiative's impact by tracking the number of families reached, children screened, and support provided. Currently, his focus is strengthening Awledna in Tunisia, but he hopes his model can expand to other Arab countries and inspire other young people to initiate similar initiatives.