TeenAGE sat and spoke with 21-year-old Oldane Graham from the University of the West Indies who helped 14 inmates from the General Penitentiary pass CSEC subjects, mathematics and English Language.

Behind his cheerful demeanour, Graham has a powerful and inspiring story to tell — of moving from the struggling university student to one who has touched lives in prison.

He described himself as “wealthy beyond what most people can fathom” — a wealth he ascribed to a life of poverty and servitude to those less fortunate than he was.

Wise beyond his years, one might have thought, listening to him, but Graham accredits his success thus far to poverty, which he said propelled him toward success.

The computer science and electronics major spoke movingly about his struggles in his first year of university, and how he overcame them.

“I was the archetypal underprivileged but studious student, who stays overnight in the school library not only because it is conducive to studying, but also because it is cheaper than going home.”

“In spite of that, or rather, as a direct consequence of that, I worked diligently, keeping my focus squarely on achieving my utmost.”

He went further, “the wonderful thing about poverty is that it makes you appreciate the smallest gestures to an extent, which is often incomprehensible to those who have always known fortune.”

This is why, he says, eventually earning a scholarship, which alleviated his university expenses, made him feel like he had won the lottery 10 times over.

He concedes that there are many other stories out there like his, persons who are in far worse circumstances, and many who did not have the privilege of a tertiary education, as he deems it…

“I have always had a passion for education. I view it as the key that opens the gate to success in life. I view the opportunity to get an education as a privilege.”

This realisation, he went on, was what started him on his journey of turning his circumstances around and to becoming the wealthy individual that he is today.

On that journey, Graham started a programmne to tutor underprivileged students who he felt had an appetite for success, in spite of their circumstances. Later, he also became involved in the Youth Crime Watch programme, which helps students prepare for CSEC and GNAT examinations.

“These experiences were life-shaping because not only were my students successful but I also discovered my knack for teaching.”

A knack which led him further to make greater impact.

When the opportunity arose for Graham to be a part of the Innovative Prison Education programme, Stand Up for Jamaica, he took hold of it.

This was an initiative by the Jamaica Prison system to help 14 inmates prepare for CSEC exams in just one year — a challenge Graham was willing to take on.

He recalls: “I was never afraid to be locked up in a room packed with all manner of criminal offenders, including murderers. Perhaps, it was the wealth of pleasure that came from the facts that: (1) They were truly eager to better themselves too. (2) I could relate to the stories of most so much so that I realised, had I made one or two wrong turns, I would have ended up in prison too and; (3) it was evident that they were making progress.”

It was also evident, in how he recounted these experiences, that they had great impact on him and his whole outlook on life.

“Some of the best moments of my life was spent in a room with 24 men, whom society had cast away as unfit to live with the general population. The experience made me wonder if we should ever give up on anyone because of what they have done. I don’t think so. I think everyone deserves the opportunity for redemption, as long as they are willing to work for it. I believe the opportunity should be made available through programmes like Stand Up for Jamaica and the generosity and compassion of volunteers like me.”

Hence, he says, his journey is not over. “I will not be limited by my circumstances because they are not the worse.”

This young man’s story has certainly been an inspiration for me I hope it was for you as well.