‘‘It all started in June 2010 when I accompanied my family on a trip to both Tanzania and Kenya,’’ he said.

‘‘After living and playing with the children [there] my love for them was permanently encrypted on my soul.’’

Moved by the struggles of children living in slums and orphanages, Dominic returned home and registered the charity Kids2Kids to help improve their lives.

Since then, the Illawarra Grammar School student has raised more than $32,000 and recently bought a plot of land next to the Korogocho slums in Kenya to help the school there grow vegetables to feed children.

Dominic also drums in his band Blackout at regular charity gigs, has written two books about life in Kenyan slums, installed the internet in a Tanzanian high school and donated four tricycles to an orphanage in Tanzania.

These remarkable efforts were recognised last night when Dominic was announced the winner of the citizenship category of this year’s Wests Illawarra Youth Achievement Awards.

With his $1500 award, he plans to buy prizes and organise a fun run to raise $15,000 for a school bus at a school in Tanzania and will then return to Africa next month.

Dominic was one of 20 young people recognised for their efforts in the arts, sport and academic achievement or for achieving despite illness, disability or disadvantage.

Among them, football star Caitlin Foord won the senior sport category for her efforts at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Smith’s Hill High School singer Anjali Iyer, 16, was recognised for her involvement in the Education Department’s elite Talent Development Project, performances with Opera Australia and for winning a three-month music scholarship to Germany. The winners shared in $20,000 in scholarships and prizes.