Ackeef Nugent’s ambition and passion to educate fellow youngsters and uplift his Cockburn Gardens community belies his age and stature. At only 13 years old, Ackeef is bright and full of conviction that education is the path that will lead to the success of children in his community, which is sometimes beset by violence.

Ackeef’s character and passion for education and helping others was developed in the same home he now does his tutoring in. He has been teaching and mentoring children since he was eight years old and believes that learning opportunities must be complemented by a personal conviction to be better.

“My personal goals, or my vision, is to ensure that the students or persons who surround me, they choose something that they are passionate about and I think that will do well for society,” Ackeef said.

“This is important because many of the times children and adults don’t know the purpose, or the reason why they are living. So before I start my class I interview them,” he further explained. “I sit with them, and ask, ‘Do you know your purpose and what is it you want to accomplish?’ in order to get them motivated. And when they are motivated then the class begins. I always motivate my students before I do anything else.”

Encouraged by Ackeef’s mission, on Thursday, April 21, the Flow Foundation invited Ackeef and his grandmother, Michelle Johnson, to Flow’s corporate offices at Carlton Crescent, St Andrew, and presented the teen with a laptop and book vouchers which will facilitate his teachings, and support his dream to transform his community through education.

“I am so happy that Flow came in and assisted us. This can help us in many ways because many of the parents in our community don’t have the necessary tools. So I am thanking Flow for coming onboard and assisting us in this kind of way,” he said.

His grandmother, who was beaming with pride at the recognition her grandson has been receiving, said: “It was overwhelming to hear from Flow. I’m really proud and happy for that. All the support that he’s getting now, nothing ‘nuh’ surprise me because I know his potential, so I’m looking out for a lot more support.”

Flow’s Public Relations Manager, LeVaughn Flynn, said the Foundation was impressed by Ackeef’s commitment to serving others after seeing his story in the media.

“Ackeef represents commitment and ambition and is an inspirational youth leader that is helping to transform Jamaica by starting with his own community,” Flynn shared. “This is important to the Flow Foundation as our mission is to connect communities and change lives and Ackeef’s story is a powerful one with transformational possibilities.”

Ackeef added that his big vision is to help make his community a safer and better place for children to grow. He not only wants to empower the children, but he wants to see an end to the violence in Cockburn Gardens and he believes education is the key to unlocking these possibilities.

“I want something better for my community; I want to put my community on the map,” he said proudly.

“I always say to my students, ‘If you want good your nose haffi run’. So, I am making the effort because I want good for my students, and I know that they want good for themselves. That is the most important thing that I tend to do on a daily basis.”