Eisenhower High IB Student Makes a Difference in the Lives of Children in Guyana

Akeem Hector

After visiting a school in Guyana in South America in 2008 with his family, Akeem Hector was touched by the need of some of the students. In that moment he decided to start a nonprofit organization that provides school supplies to some of the less fortunate children in that developing country. Hector, an [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]International Baccalaureate (IB) student at Eisenhower High School, believes that education is the key to break the cycle of poverty. But for students to be successful, they need the tools to learn. In July of 2013, Hector launched [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]KeemCares Outreach to help fulfill his vision.

Giving and helping is not new to Hector. Over the years he has been assisting his parents in collecting and sorting clothing, books, school supplies and other basic necessities to send to charities.

Hector began his dream by first saving a part of his allowance toward his goal. He also raised funds selling handmade jewelry — bottle cap necklaces. When he was required to select a service and action to fulfill his [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]IB Diploma CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) program in high school, he moved full throttle to launch KeemCares Outreach with the help of his family.

KeemCares Outreach fulfilled its first mission in August. The nonprofit provided backpacks filled with school supplies to 75 children in Guyana. Many children had to be turned away once all the supplies had been given donated.

“With the help of volunteers and supporters, I hope to increase the number of recipients and areas served,” said Hector. “In the future, I would like to expand services to include health and vision checks as well as provide basic health and hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap.”

Hector feels that each one of us has the power to positively affect others.

“We can all make a difference in someone else’s life,” added Hector. “I really feel it is my responsibility to make a positive impact on the world.”

He is already planning and preparing for his organization’s mission next year. He is hoping to visit with the students in Guyana and work on a community project he is organizing.

Hector has gone through the entire [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]IB continuum in Aldine ISD — Primary Years Program at Kujawa Elementary, the Middle Years Program at Wilson Intermediate, Shotwell Middle and Eisenhower Ninth Grade School as well as the Diploma Program at Eisenhower High.

Hector is taking the IB principles into practice and is making a difference in the world. He is a great role model for the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]IB learner.

Akeem Hector worked with Pastor Mark Ferreira (left) and other volunteers in Cumberland, a village in the Berbice region of Guyana.

The lucky recipients show off their backpacks filled with school supplies.