Cleo Bachelor of the Year hunk Dustin Leonard’s mission to give away 500,000 condoms in Africa
CLEO Bachelor of the Year finalist Dustin Leonard has no time to celebrate the nomination — he’s been busy giving out a shipping container full of condoms.
CLEO Bachelor of the Year finalist Dustin Leonard hasn’t had time to celebrate his nomination — the hunky American expat has been busy distributing half a million free condoms in Africa.
The 29-year-old founder of social enterprise HERO Condoms spent two weeks in the HIV AIDS-ravaged nation of Botswana, giving away a shipping container full of the contraceptives.
And larger than life reality TV star Tim Dormer tagged along for the trip.
“The HERO model is that for every condom we sell in Australia, we donate one condom to developing nations with the hope of stopping the spread of HIV,” Leonard said.
“We got back from Botswana last week, where the HIV infection rate is growing every year and is the second-highest in the world. And there’s a significant lack of free and quality condoms.”
The company has just signed a major distribution deal with Woolworths, meaning sales have spiked. Leonard forecasts selling — and giving away — two million condoms in the next year.
“This idea started as a university marketing assignment back in 2012,” the Texas-born entrepreneur said.
“But the more I researched about HIV-AIDS in Africa, the more passionate I became about the cause. So I did a business plan and the numbers added up.”
Three years on and HERO is thriving, with seven shareholders and three fulltime staff. Dormer signed on as a celebrity intern to help raise awareness of the company’s work in Africa.
“He really got amongst it,” Leonard said. “He learnt a lot through the trip and was really hands on. He’s full of energy too so there’s never a dull moment with that guy.”
A film crew tagged along too, with hopes to produce a documentary. There’s no shortage of heartbreaking and harrowing tales to tell, Leonard said.
“One in four people in Botswana have HIV. For women aged between 35 and 39, it’s 43 per cent, which is nearly one in town. It’s astounding.”
Leonard said he was in a meeting with a health group in Botswana when the Cleo Bachelor of the Year finalists were announced.
“That was kind a contrast,” he laughed.
“I haven’t really had a chance to think about it. I’ve seen the guys that I’m up against though and it’s extremely competitive. I don’t think I’ve got a shot.
“It’s cool to be part of it and if it spreads the word about HERO then that’s a great outcome.”
For more information about HERO condoms, visit herocondoms.com.au