Giving Compass' Take:

• Kenya is one of the countries most affected by HIV and polio. Global Citizen profiles one young teenager who is trying to create awareness over these health issues through spoken-word poetry.

• How can turn this young man's inspiration into action? Which programs would make a difference in making sure that families get the information they need?

• Here's why ending HIV starts with empowering women and girls.

Kenyan teen poet Meshack is just 13 years old, but he's already making a major difference in his community by teaching people about HIV and polio through his art, the BBC reports.

Meshack first learned about public health issues from his mother, who is volunteers as a health worker.

During his school holidays, the teen accompanies his mother to the health facility where she works, where he gives talks in the form of spoken-word poetry to educate people on the dangers of polio and pneumonia — among other diseases — and raises awareness about the importance of HIV testing.

Many of the people he speaks to are mothers, who play particularly important roles in ensuring their children stay healthy and get vaccinated.

"I make sure I pass information to people, mostly mothers, so that they can take their children to be immunized," he says.

Meshack is determined to become a doctor so that he can help those he sees suffering in Kenya, he tells the BBC.

Read the full article about the 13-year-old poet in Kenya teaching people about HIV and polio by Sophie Maes at Global Citizen.