Self-taught African Teen Wows M.I.T.
15-Year-Old Kelvin Doe is an engineering whiz living in Sierra Leone who scours the trash bins for spare parts, which he uses to build batteries, generators and transmitters. Completely self-taught, Kelvin has created his own radio station where he broadcasts news and plays music under the moniker, DJ Focus.
Kelvin became the youngest person in history to be invited to the “Visiting Practitioner’s Program” at MIT. THNKR had exclusive access to Kelvin and his life-changing journey – experiencing the US for the first time, exploring incredible opportunities, contending with homesickness, and mapping out his future.
Here is a link to the Bobby Fala track in the video on SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/karen-kilberg/kpei-ragga
Check-out David’s Crowdrise page: http://www.crowdrise.com/InnovateSalone
Photos courtesy of Adam Cohn (http://www.adamcohn.com/) and Paula Aguilera
PRODIGIES is a bi-weekly series showcasing the youngest and brightest as they challenge themselves to reach new heights and the stories behind them.
Created and produced by @radical.media, THNKR gives you extraordinary access to the people, stories, places and thinking that will change your mind.
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Nov 25, 2012 @ 17:26:25
It's amazing.T he human mind left alone ( with out society's contaminating ideologies ) knows only love and creativity.
Nov 30, 2012 @ 01:48:55
But of course those contaminating ideologies come from the violence of carnivoric nature itself!
It is interesting how the nature of an infant is NOT the same as the nature out in the woods.
The "nature" of trees, wolves, and deer will change the nature we are born with.
Almost as if nature itself has two faces!
Thankfully we as a species have recently become advanced enough to support that initial, first nature we are born with.
Nov 25, 2012 @ 17:42:16
15-Year-Old Kelvin Doe is an engineering whiz living in Sierra Leone who scours the trash bins for spare parts, which he uses to build batteries, generators and transmitters. Completely self-taught, Kelvin has created his own radio station where he broadcasts news and plays music under the moniker, DJ Focus.
Nov 25, 2012 @ 18:28:08
he's left handed! cool! I am inspired by this young man. long life and success to you kelvin.
Nov 25, 2012 @ 19:02:17
lefties are the best!!
Nov 25, 2012 @ 19:48:14
How inspiring…:-)
Nov 28, 2012 @ 01:36:28
This is absolutely amazing! Shows a lot of character and intelligence!
Nov 29, 2012 @ 15:53:31
I am in awe of this 15 year old boy! What an inspiration and I love that it is all about his family and helping his community. The human mind is limitless, Kelvin is evidence of that, but to be accompanied by such a pure, true spirit, that is rare. What an amazing young man!
Nov 30, 2012 @ 00:54:51
Amazing…
Nov 30, 2012 @ 01:34:55
DJ focus What a inspiring story!
Nov 30, 2012 @ 06:54:44
Amazing no doubt, but there are amazing children all over the world. Let's continue to pay attention and support their development. These young children are the future of this world of ours. Thank you David.
Nov 30, 2012 @ 13:11:35
This is truly inspirational, just amazing, sentiment that people can do really great things no matter what
Nov 30, 2012 @ 13:13:31
This is truly inspirational, amazing to see, shows that people can do great things
Nov 30, 2012 @ 13:29:35
just imagine what tech we thought of & made 30000 years ago!
Nov 30, 2012 @ 17:42:04
Love stories like this. Thanks Aimee!
Nov 30, 2012 @ 18:34:56
Kelvin is a visionary… he is unique and will contribute to his community because of who he is. I commend MIT for embracing him and trust that they will support his childhood experience as well as his potential. Thanks for the inspiration — I'm sure we will hear much more from Kelvin in the future!
Dec 01, 2012 @ 13:21:03
Stories like this fill me with hope.
Dec 01, 2012 @ 13:44:04
What an amazing boy. Big up David for beleiving in him. People shoild take note and give sweet motherland Africa a chance
Dec 01, 2012 @ 18:59:16
its what should b done…………. thanks for all of you……….. I felt my self in there somehow.
Dec 02, 2012 @ 23:02:33
All the very best for your future, Kevin. You inspired me and hopefully many others. It is people like you who keeps us motivated and to keep going no matter how uphill the task at hand be. Thank You!
Dec 04, 2012 @ 00:59:01
Great! Wowie! Love that Kelvin wants to help others. Inspiring!
Dec 08, 2012 @ 01:55:33
Awesome!
Dec 08, 2012 @ 04:57:30
What a beautiful story. Thankyou xoxox
Dec 08, 2012 @ 07:49:26
Human mind is limitless. Thumbs up. Don't stop
Dec 08, 2012 @ 07:50:26
Amazing Kid.Keep up the good work. Human mind I limitless.
Dec 08, 2012 @ 16:44:16
love to see people innovating! We all have an amazing capacity for it and I think sometimes we forget. This goes to show you don't need huge amounts of resources or formal education to do great things. We can all be empowered.
Dec 17, 2012 @ 16:49:38
How refreshing,the amazing mind of one human being.
Dec 18, 2012 @ 03:06:14
What a greatness bestowed on this earth.
Dec 17, 2012 @ 17:04:29
Kelvin, good job buddy.
Dec 17, 2012 @ 19:23:48
amazing
Dec 22, 2012 @ 02:15:14
There could be "innovator of the year" awards. Based on solution problems solving using materials and technology that is as much as possible "found" on hand/locally. No limit to the number of awards/people who win. Awards go to the innovator/inventor, their community, the community schools, building community support for the innovator/inventor. Add to this scholarships.
Dec 23, 2012 @ 01:02:40
Soon he will be living in a fully furnished underground U.S. laboratory.
Dec 30, 2012 @ 10:55:34
Another case of good story! Creativity know no limits if we just look a litle closure!
Dec 30, 2012 @ 10:55:34
Another case of good story! Creativity know no limits if we just look a litle closure!
Jan 14, 2013 @ 21:34:31
So inspiring.
Feb 05, 2013 @ 09:48:55
Fantastic… the next Tesla?
Mar 11, 2013 @ 17:43:48
I see his inspiration and drive to help and improve his family's situation and life. how about programs to inspire american youth in the same way? an adopt a family program or something for school children in the US… "here is a family in __________, here is what their life is like, what can we invent to help them that they can build and use in their community?"
Mar 25, 2013 @ 15:05:39
Well… there's my inspiration for the day. Amazing.