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.

This video is a testament that socio-economic factors are not what defines a character or opportunities in life. Watch this inspiring video of innovation in Africa, even in some of the most disadvantaged communities, below.

The team behind the video of Kelvin Doe’s story hope to engage people in the conversation of how we can foster innovation among young people all over the world.

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.

To support more projects such as this one, go to http://www.crowdrise.com/InnovateSalone

Video originally published on YouTube Nov 16, 2012