15-Yr-Old Kelvin Doe 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: / kpei-ragga
Photos courtesy of Adam Cohn (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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Пікірлер: 7 200

  • @americanpatriot3667
    @americanpatriot36679 жыл бұрын

    And this is how great people are born

  • @StudioAnnLe
    @StudioAnnLe11 жыл бұрын

    It's incredible to see how sharp this kid is, yet so grounded and humble. Inspirational!

  • @janithemani
    @janithemani9 жыл бұрын

    dis guy doe

  • @jackdare
    @jackdare11 жыл бұрын

    Reverse engineering electronic devices & components without so much as a voltmeter or potentiometer is pretty impressive!

  • @josesoarezz5780
    @josesoarezz578011 жыл бұрын

    How can people just dislike this video??? Seriously, HOW???

  • @milkshakeCet33
    @milkshakeCet3311 жыл бұрын

    This kid not only is INSANELY smart but he has a HUGE heart! His mind set is to share and help his people. He will go very far in his journey and make great impacts to the world around him.

  • @TheRedMekanik
    @TheRedMekanik11 жыл бұрын

    It's sad to me that people in the U.S. will simply throw away old electronics and such, like its trash. Think of what Kelvin here could do with an old VCR, or washing machine. I wish he had access to some of our "garbage", because I would love to see what he could do with it. What he could make out of it. As a future engineer myself, I have huge respect for you, Kelvin. Keep solving problems and improving things.

  • @lakshanx
    @lakshanx10 жыл бұрын

    Those "rich" rappers should give some cash money to this little guy

  • @hipchickfitness
    @hipchickfitness11 жыл бұрын

    there are a lot of genius out there that needs to be discovered, I sure hope Kevin will go far to reach his dreams

  • @soltri9969
    @soltri996910 жыл бұрын

    Real life Tony Stark. I'm really happy that we have such people in this world and I hope you will reach your goals. This video really made me cry in the end. Let's try to improve our world all together!

  • @sunnykiri3
    @sunnykiri39 жыл бұрын

    So interesting to see African boy doing this great innovation

  • @RicardoR5
    @RicardoR511 жыл бұрын

    This kid deserves an oportunity on MIT or something, please someone fund him to have a schoolarship on a good school.

  • @louiscyr9055
    @louiscyr905510 жыл бұрын

    Bravo, Bravo, Bravo ! RESPECT for this young man. Thank to the teacher. Beautiful story.

  • @corygolf.
    @corygolf.10 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Kelvin!

  • @mesharialmisnad7803
    @mesharialmisnad78039 жыл бұрын

    Great People Love you my african brothers :)

  • @rafaelborja9446
    @rafaelborja944610 жыл бұрын

    He's amazing, to help doing this in his community and many others like his; it is really important to give them material so they can work. Especially in poor places, it will be really important to show them how to build renewable energy.

  • @gregg1321
    @gregg132111 жыл бұрын

    It's not his aptitude for invention that impresses me here, it's his amazing humility and dedication to the wellbeing of his family and fellow humans that amazes me. Whenever I find myself doubting our race I see a video like this that brings a smile to my face and I truly feel hope for our future again. I hope he does great things in his future.

  • @241192271277
    @24119227127711 жыл бұрын

    Come on dude, you're speaking about grammar? Can't you all just see his spirit and his talents?? He's simply amazing!

  • @Matt-mx7xd
    @Matt-mx7xd11 жыл бұрын

    One of the most inspirational videos I have ever watched. Track his progress!

  • @Andrew_Beattie
    @Andrew_Beattie11 жыл бұрын

    Africa needs more kids like Kelvin. Africa is filled with possibilities and kids like Kelvin inspire, motivate and implement change.

  • @jakesmith178
    @jakesmith17811 жыл бұрын

    Tbh, I cried in the part when he said he wants to help his family.. :( I dont care if he cant speak english fluently.. I care about other people!! Humanity!!

  • @TrisyTV
    @TrisyTV11 жыл бұрын

    This story is absolutely incredible!

  • @TheDeghohun
    @TheDeghohun11 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful! As a teacher, this will be shown to my students to inspire them in their learning and thinking of world events. From UK

  • @3minecrafter77
    @3minecrafter7711 жыл бұрын

    It goes a bit farther than that. Kids are not being taught the ways they need to be taught. Something a friend said to me (that i have heavily modified) once: "School is like a zoo; If you feed everyone the same thing, not everyone will survive." Kids who are bad at tests are focusing all their energy on testing. Kids that are good at thinking quickly will outshine the kids who think more slowly, but are more likely to get the right answer. Its sad.

  • @TheSupremeLord4238
    @TheSupremeLord423811 жыл бұрын

    I had an exam where we had to pick someone who you admire and persuade the reader to nominate him for an imaginary award. I chose Kelvin.

  • @Dolvolski
    @Dolvolski11 жыл бұрын

    921 People are jealous that they don't have the focus, the innovation, the creativity to help change the world today.

  • @ogephil7784
    @ogephil778410 жыл бұрын

    Amazing Story!!!!

  • @Numbnuts007
    @Numbnuts00711 жыл бұрын

    We need teachers that care about the students and challenge them to go past the standards and shoot for the stars! In any subject and career the student is interested in.

  • @Rhuarc
    @Rhuarc11 жыл бұрын

    DJ FOCUS!!

  • @mysongrayson1
    @mysongrayson111 жыл бұрын

    I have been to many countries on mission trips and met kids like him....and then i come home to see how kids act here in the states and the things we all take for granted. More people should see this and learn to appreciate the life we live. God bless you DJ Focus

  • @deontv100
    @deontv1009 жыл бұрын

    would love to meet him! you guys should have "great people outpost" where people all over the world can come and show off their "talents" that would be awesome. and plus you could have more than one!

  • @chuymon7209
    @chuymon720911 жыл бұрын

    I simply fell in love with - for him to want to go back home and not be greedy enough to want to stay in America because of the opportunities available here. Not only is he smart but he's virtuous.

  • @umursengul
    @umursengul11 жыл бұрын

    We, all people around the world, must help these children, prodigies... They ARE the real FUTURE of mankind.

  • @128poir
    @128poir11 жыл бұрын

    I'm so humbled by watching this..

  • @majesticwizardcat
    @majesticwizardcat11 жыл бұрын

    Be creative and inspiring just because you want to live like the rest , make your world better , help people to feel better . No money out of it , just "survival" . So happy to see that there are still ppl who actually are humans with the whole terminology of the world .

  • @rgrrgrsxndngr1904
    @rgrrgrsxndngr190411 жыл бұрын

    As an Indigenous person of these lands, we need the resurgence of our Indigenous education in our own communities, which can then be used along side technology focused western educations to help our world get back in balance. Kelvin is an amazing young man. He is absolutely right about doing the stuff he does just for family. I think we can take this one more step and do it for all the relations we have.

  • @danielv2766
    @danielv276611 жыл бұрын

    this video is boss. Calvin is a good person. I hope god blesses him

  • @jaimebangs
    @jaimebangs11 жыл бұрын

    These are the people and things that sierra leone need at the moment. I appreciate it very much and i hope u continue living and realizing ur dream.

  • @jbarnes1960
    @jbarnes196011 жыл бұрын

    Now THAT's the kind example we should be showing our kids in America. He has learned to be self sufficient and depends upon noone for assistance. Truly an inspiration. If I want to send a donation and letter of encouragement directly to him, how would I do that? God Bless you for investing in him. You will change that villages whole world...and maybe ours!

  • @ocayaro
    @ocayaro11 жыл бұрын

    I have met so many kids in Africa like Kelvin, may God Bless you, David for all that you have done for him. It isn't so much about kids like Kelvin that matters the most. It is people like you DAVID, who have the wisdom to recognize them.

  • @strixloricatus5835
    @strixloricatus583511 жыл бұрын

    Very, very well said! I completely agree. In my country, the arts are neglected terribly, seen as "recreation" and "idle time" at large. In my country (perhaps the entire world too?), a person who shows a talent for sports will receive more support and recognition from their community than a young engineer, a gifted painter, a prodigal philosopher, or a musical genius would. It's my hope that we'll see thousands and thousands of little Kelvin's popping up around the globe in the next generation.

  • @daleparky
    @daleparky11 жыл бұрын

    I love people like this, making the most of what we have is how mankind is what it is today.

  • @DontForgetDmentia
    @DontForgetDmentia11 жыл бұрын

    much respect for the kid and mentor hope he goes far good luck.

  • @Slayer9123
    @Slayer912311 жыл бұрын

    He is absolutely one of the most amazing people I have ever seen.

  • @pauljohnson1946
    @pauljohnson194611 жыл бұрын

    Wow, things like this make me a proud African! Wish you the best Kelvin, you will do great things!

  • @sansanchan8289
    @sansanchan828911 жыл бұрын

    I love that they say "Hi" to everyone they meet, its sad that doesn't happen more often unless you're getting paid to greet someone at the door. it always makes my day better, seeing other random happy people.

  • @shigatsu76
    @shigatsu7611 жыл бұрын

    Very inspirational. I hope this young man achieves his dream

  • @ForeverDauntless
    @ForeverDauntless11 жыл бұрын

    "Just to help my family" Oh how I know this feeling. My heart goes out to him and maybe one day I can utilize my talents as well to provide for my family.

  • @CallumMartinMusic
    @CallumMartinMusic11 жыл бұрын

    David, a suggestion: Set up a small M.I.T in Sierra Leone. Get scholarships/grants/investors for materials so that progress and inventions can be realized. Could be as trashy as a reality tv show to help financially.. not ideal but it's something. Im sure you have already thought about this.

  • @Keralapadam
    @Keralapadam11 жыл бұрын

    With a special talent like this I hope he takes it to his full advantage. If he does, he will go heights that is not reached yet and be a role model/inspiration for young innovators in the future. All the best!

  • @WungTung
    @WungTung11 жыл бұрын

    .... technology is still mystery to me

  • @alfgonzster
    @alfgonzster11 жыл бұрын

    This is a great inspiration. Long live DJ Focus..

  • @mobozaa
    @mobozaa11 жыл бұрын

    now i feel like a loser

  • @rynjahninjah
    @rynjahninjah11 жыл бұрын

    Kelvin is just a stepping stone and I really hope to see more like him!

  • @sexycatk1670
    @sexycatk167011 жыл бұрын

    Brought me to tears when he was calling home being from africa I can truly relate.Thank you young african proud to see a child that has so courage hope and determination.You inspire me to work hard and help our young people in kenya as well.Love you you so so much and pray that MIT gets a scholarship your way.

  • @joshomoore5502
    @joshomoore550211 жыл бұрын

    Simply amazing.

  • @paran315
    @paran31511 жыл бұрын

    It makes me feel ashamed for dwindling time away when I have so much more resources to study than him. I hope Harvard or MIT gives him a scholarship!

  • @ethanwainman4696
    @ethanwainman469611 жыл бұрын

    this kid is just amazing. when he began to cry i nearly burst into tears.

  • @NFLAdam86
    @NFLAdam8611 жыл бұрын

    A beautiful kid with unbelievable ambition with a bright future. Good luck Kelvin and god bless

  • @kikobilly
    @kikobilly11 жыл бұрын

    Bless him. May he bring up his people.

  • @didgevibratesmybrain
    @didgevibratesmybrain11 жыл бұрын

    These would be a lot more common if people weren't determined to hold children down. People are impressed because they don't understand how to produce a good human being.

  • @Kasei.T
    @Kasei.T11 жыл бұрын

    Human perseverance shines brightest amidst adversity. Love it! All is not lost indeed.

  • @juliospeaks
    @juliospeaks11 жыл бұрын

    That kid is amazing, and he has an awesome heart.

  • @dawnlubka
    @dawnlubka11 жыл бұрын

    This was so beautiful. I feel so lucky to have seen this. Thank you!

  • @eligos6
    @eligos611 жыл бұрын

    For a fifteen year old, not only is he motivated and smart. He shows a strong and better use of the English language than most native English speaking persons I know, and it is most likely that English is not his first language.

  • @stefankleinowitz2930
    @stefankleinowitz293011 жыл бұрын

    This just makes me happy. Kelvin you are a shining star. Keep focused and do your thing. One luv

  • @TankenkaNeko
    @TankenkaNeko11 жыл бұрын

    What a phenomenal young man. I wish him the absolute best in his and his teams' explorations and inventions!

  • @colg8_
    @colg8_11 жыл бұрын

    How do people even dislike this? He's such a fantastic kid and it's a truly amazing video

  • @daquannpauly6782
    @daquannpauly678211 жыл бұрын

    its 928 people that don't like this video your just hateing because we have money they don't have nothing really that is a same some if us americans are ungreatful kelvin is a amazing !!!!!!!!!!!young man keep doing wat your doing kelvin a.k.a dj focus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @etheman1014
    @etheman101411 жыл бұрын

    I have never seen a kid like this before. Good luck to him and I know he can change the world.

  • @donaghcoffey7119
    @donaghcoffey711911 жыл бұрын

    this kid is a saint,what a wonderful & thought provoking mini documentary,best thing i've watched all year!!!!! i hope he achieves all he wants to help his community back home & i hope he's inspired other people as much as he's inspired me,we need more people in the world like him,what a selfless,intelligent,innovative & pensive individual.this boy is living proof that you can change your situation & improve things in your life if you want to enough,rock on positivity,rock on kelvin!!!g

  • @ThunderGod2912
    @ThunderGod291211 жыл бұрын

    Inspiring young man, keep doing you're Kelvin a.k.a DJ Focus.

  • @rdallas81
    @rdallas8111 жыл бұрын

    that's a good kid....peop[le in the usa...mostly the young don't understand how good it is here. Keep up the good work Kelvin.....

  • @richardhamilton9797
    @richardhamilton979711 жыл бұрын

    You have a heart, DJ Focus. It´s all great inventing things to help people but what is most important is that you feel love for everyone around you. Keep innovating and sharing your wonderful spirit.

  • @Fernad00
    @Fernad0011 жыл бұрын

    This is one of the greatest stories on youtube. This is the type videos that inspire you, he makes great things with so little. I wish him the best!

  • @AzzJacka
    @AzzJacka11 жыл бұрын

    remind the young prodigy to stay diligent in their work, and open their talent to the full potential. Help the youth to stay innovative

  • @Ghost572
    @Ghost57211 жыл бұрын

    Work hard to make the world a better place via technology, medicine, engineering and science my man!

  • @MrKaneShaw
    @MrKaneShaw11 жыл бұрын

    People could learn a lot from this kid! What an inspiration

  • @TheXenoEnder
    @TheXenoEnder11 жыл бұрын

    "I got the cable from a dust bin... hehehe" I love that he sees something like finding useful wire in the trash with such innocent joy. Thanks so much for this.

  • @Hannahplaysguitar17
    @Hannahplaysguitar1711 жыл бұрын

    Here's what stood out to me, and what makes this so inspiring, powerful, and exciting: Kelvin's motivations are the pure motivations of a 15 year old from a collectivist culture- that is that he wants to help his family. His bravery to enter into such a different world is admirable. Innovation can be sparked by the challenge that scarcity presents. When we're challenged to open our minds and get creative, especially for younger people, we rise to the challenge. Thank you for this video!

  • @omykron23
    @omykron2311 жыл бұрын

    He's amazing, I really am impressed. Give all people an access to education and the world will change.

  • @LucasEstevanSoares
    @LucasEstevanSoares11 жыл бұрын

    He's is amazing. Believe in young people, guys! Support them, they mean the future of our humanity!

  • @OceanD52
    @OceanD5211 жыл бұрын

    What an awesome child! I love him! I pray for his success! Great feature!

  • @Ishy1231
    @Ishy123111 жыл бұрын

    Man thats awesome!

  • @didgevibratesmybrain
    @didgevibratesmybrain11 жыл бұрын

    "look what that poor kid in africa could do! You kids should be smart like him, you filthy spoiled brats." Most kids are not allowed to experiment. They are punished for doing things like this. People are impressed by "child prodigies" who had a chance to excel at their interest. This is what happens when you don't oppress their interest and allow them to find their own niche. How many of your students are allowed to experiment and learn on their own?

  • @ryand6203
    @ryand620311 жыл бұрын

    This is amazing what a boy so proud of him has the biggest heart i have ever seen only if we all had the same morals and values as him this world would be a better place

  • @apollocruzz
    @apollocruzz11 жыл бұрын

    This is incredible DJ Focus.. the sky is your starting point.. You have recognized a problem, addressed it and created a solution... You are a great innovator.. God help you for the rest of your life....

  • @jensen4426
    @jensen442611 жыл бұрын

    Good luck kid, show the world how big you can be !

  • @mlg1972mg
    @mlg1972mg11 жыл бұрын

    I would put all my money into furthering his education .

  • @UFCKimble
    @UFCKimble11 жыл бұрын

    Don't let anyone ever take your shine away, man. Stay true to self, family, and community, and you'll do alright.

  • @SirupyPorcupine
    @SirupyPorcupine11 жыл бұрын

    What an amazing kid. Keep up the great work and keep working towards your goals and never give up.

  • @notawitch0
    @notawitch011 жыл бұрын

    Great Job.... Very nice Kid... Keep it up young man, you guys are the future leaders of our great sierra Leone... Keep up the good work Proud of you Stay FOCUS

  • @cerise333
    @cerise33311 жыл бұрын

    here solar energy electricity where I live Monterrey Mexico, it's very crowded with people but also, lots of pollution, we need more trees and more renewable energy instead of more pollution. Love your video thanks :)

  • @matthewwatts9068
    @matthewwatts906811 жыл бұрын

    Very moving. I pray that he continues with his movement in his community. It still show's that there is good people in the world. Gave me hope !

  • @josephpeterson5353
    @josephpeterson535311 жыл бұрын

    what an inspiration. Even in the face of adversity and decrease opportunity, calvin DJ focus shows all of us the genius in him. God bless him and his beautiful family, also the young man that brought him to MIT. A beautiful story!!!

  • @designatederiver
    @designatederiver11 жыл бұрын

    We need more hands on activities in school. Physically constructing things is what empowers youth to become future creators, scientists and engineers, not staring mindlessly at a board. Sure the materials are costly, but if schools spent a little more on things that actually make learning more effective, it will more than pay for itself in the long run.

  • @hjamal200789
    @hjamal20078911 жыл бұрын

    Dj focus you are an inspiration to all. My friend you have a good heart. May god bless you, your family, and friends. I wish you the best.

  • @BinoandFino
    @BinoandFino11 жыл бұрын

    Moving and inspiring. A positive story showing ingenuity of the youth amidst the challenges in Sierra Leone.

  • @Techelp2011
    @Techelp201111 жыл бұрын

    It's people like this that restore my faith in humanity.

  • @XxXMALVXxX
    @XxXMALVXxX11 жыл бұрын

    much love brotha