User:Joe Tuazama

After growing up in a camp for refugees from war-torn Liberia, Joe Tuazama saw Australia as a blessing for one reason - hope. "People in the refugee camp had no hope," he said. "We didn't even have the hope of finding something to eat each day. But today we can look to achieving our long-term dreams." For the president of the Liberian Community of WA, this dream is not about fame or wealth but helping his expat African community. Mr Tuazama has instigated programs including Mentor Me, which helps young people become role models, and Miss Liberia, a pageant to raise girls' self-esteem and teach them how to act as young women.

The African communities make up a large proportion of migrants in this state, and Joe realised with a steady influx of people from areas like Liberia, Sudan, Somalia, Congo and Burundi (Burindee), the population would continue to grow. He saw an urgent need to engage and educate African youth, and despite pressing work and study commitments, devoted many hours to developing innovative programs to empower young men and women from all African groups, and provide them with leadership skills and a sense of pride. He forged partnerships with state, local government and migrant groups and brought together young people and elders to work towards a common goal of creating a safe and harmonious community for all Western Australians. And this volunteer work is on top of being a full-time engineering student, an orderly at King Edward Memorial Hospital and working at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. West Metro Crime Prevention and Cultural Diversity Office chief Sgt Don Emanuel-Smith nominated Mr Tuazama for the Edie Hoy Poy Volunteering Award for Ethnic Communities, describing him as someone special. "He actually does something and has passion," Sgt Emanuel-Smith said. Joe’s Awards The Edie Hoy Poy Volunteer Award for Ethnic Communities City of Stirling premier Citizen 2013 One of the 100 Most influential African- Australians 2013