Meet Our Global Award Winner Akeme!

We are thrilled to announce the winner of the Global Award this year is Akeme Cox from Barbados! We truly believe that Akeme is a shining example of a young persona who inspires others around the world.

Akeme grew up in Fairy Valley in the south of Barbados. His mum and dad both work in farming, his mum with horticulture and his dad with animals such as horses, sheep and goats.

When Akeme got to secondary school age he started hanging out with a new group of friends and he began to dislike school. Instead of going to school and focusing on his exams, Akeme started to skip class and meet up with his friends. The group would spend their time hanging out with gangs on the island.

In 2016 a friend of his heard about the launch of PTI’s TEAM programme in Barbados and recommended it to Akeme. He saw it as an opportunity  get involved in something new on the island.

Mr Jemmot and the other TEAM leaders gave him the confidence to believe in himself. He finally started to see that he had potential. After completing the TEAM programme, Akeme started to look for better opportunities for himself.

Following his work placement, Akeme was offered a full-time job at the Blue Horizon hotel, and although it wasn’t his dream career, he saw this as an opportunity to learn. Working at Blue Horizon has taught him to be vigilant and hardworking.

Akeme dreamed of being an entrepreneur, and as well as working at a restaurant in Oistins, he has set up his own hot sauce and catering company “Paradise Eats”.

In March Akeme travelled to London to receive The Prince’s Trust Global Award from HRH The Prince of Wales and attend a dinner at Buckingham Palace.

Akeme’s story was featured globally on CNN International.