AISD International Baccalaureate Grad Continues to Make a Difference in the Community and Abroad
The IB® Program strives to develop students who will make a meaningful contribution to the world.
Kujawa Elementary School — Akeem Hector (top row, far left) poses with campus counselor Carla Smith (first row, far left) and students. They show off the backpacks that Hector donated to the IB World School.
[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]A[/dropcap]keem Hector has taken the IB® principles to heart. He is making a difference in the world. He regularly travels to Guyana to help students. Recently, he stopped by his alma mater, Kujawa Elementary School, to pay it forward. Hector donated backpacks and school supplies to 25 students.
Readers first heard of the young organizer in a [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]feature story in InsideAldine in 2013. That was the year he launched the nonprofit KeemCares Outreach. Hector created it as a way to fulfill a project in high school. Eisenhower offers the IB Diploma program. IB students must complete a Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) project.
[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Research Suggests CAS Develops Students’ Skills for Civic Engagement
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Students develop an ethic of service.[/li] [li] Students become more caring, open-minded, and reflective.[/li][/ul]
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Students develop greater levels of self-confidence and maturity.[/li][/ul]
Since then, Hector has been making a difference here and abroad. Through his nonprofit organization, Hector collects and raises funds. He purchases backpacks and schools supplies to give to children.
Education is the key to break the cycle of poverty. But for students to be successful they need the tools to learn. — Akeem Hector
This year he donated more than 200 backpacks to underprivileged students in Guyana. He held distribution events in East Canje in Berbice. He also donated supplies in Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara. His last donation event was in Coomacka along the Upper Demerara River.
Hector poses with a Kujawa Elementary student. She is the lucky recipient of a backpack full of school supplies.
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids is priceless,” said Hector. “It is my hope that these students achieve their educational goals.”
AISD students can take part in the rigorous [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]IB academic program. Students who complete and are successful in the program can earn an [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]IB Diploma. Aldine ISD offers the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]entire IB Continuum — Primary Years, Middle School Years and Diploma programs. Hector attended [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Kujawa Elementary, [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Wilson Intermediate, [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Shotwell Middle, [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Eisenhower Ninth and [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Eisenhower High. All are IB World Schools.
Debera Thomas praises Hector, who is now a sophomore at the University of Houston. Thomas is principal at Kujawa Elementary School.
Akeem is a model of the IB philosophy. The program instills and encourages students to become active and compassionate. — Debera Thomas, Principal of Kujawa Elementary
[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Katie Wright of the University of Melbourne conducted 23 in-depth interviews with IB graduates. The grads were from 14 different countries. And they ranged in age from 20 to 63. She wanted to know about the ways in which the IB program may have influenced them.
Alumni suggested several ways in which IB affected them. One key impact included helping them to develop dispositions and skills. These have served them well as they furthered their education and in life.
IB graduates also cited the development of international-mindedness, love of learning, as well as analytical and writing skills. They especially noted the development in critical thinking skills.
KeemCares Outreach — Akeem Hector serves food to children in Guyana.
Through KeemCares Outreach, Hector is planning another trip to Guyana. Aside from backpacks and school supplies, he is collecting healthcare and hygiene supplies. He specifically needs toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, bars of soap, and underarm deodorants. Hector is also collecting socks and shoes.
Guyana is one of the poorest countries in South America. Hector states there are growing needs among the Guyanese children. He would like to partner with a U.S. medical team. His dream is to provide annual dental and vision examination to students.
“I do what I do because I want students to be successful,” said Hector. “I want them to win at life. I want to show them that somebody cares. If they see that someone cares about them, then I hope that one day they will pay it forward.”
These are profound words from a globally-minded citizen.
Individuals, who want to help Hector fulfill his mission, can email him at [email protected]. They can also visit the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]KeemCares Outreach website.
Thank you Akeem for Making a Difference!
Eisenhower HS made [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools in the U.S. rankings.
About the Author: Leticia Fehling
