Ackeem now a rising star

Ackeem, the eldest of three children, endured neglect in his early years. Born to a drug-addicted mother, he was abandoned at the age of three along with his two younger sisters. His sisters now live in an orphanage, but Ackeem was rescued by his grandparents.

The charming young man is not bitter about his childhood and considered himself lucky to have been raised by loving relatives.

“My aunt has been my mother for as long as I can remember. I share special moments with her and she showed me all the love in the world that a mother can show a child. In fact I believe I got more love from her and my grandfather than I deserved,” he said.

He added that he has been blessed with the opportunity to live in a peaceful home where everyone cares for him.

Ackeem says there is a special place in his heart for his grandfather who rescued him all those years ago. He said he thinks twice about hurting him.

“In the back of my mind I am always thinking if I go wrong the people around me will begin to dislike me and it is really the last thing I want. Yes, I do make mistakes and I am scolded for it but I never repeat them.”

His desire, he added, is to make his grandfather proud of him and he is well on the way to doing just that.

Ackeem, a finalist of the Mr India TnT pageant, was one of the main characters in the Ramayan Ballet staged recently at the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas.

He prepared for the role by training under one of India’s top choreographer, Sushilji Maharaj, who took him through his acting and dance pieces.

He was also featured in the local production, Paisa — It’s All About the Money, where he demonstrated his talent in East Indian dancing and comedy.

Form Four student at Miracle High School, Couva, Ackeem has been representing the school at Sanfest and Carifesta as a dancer and singer.

The teen, who is preparing to write his CXC exams in one year’s time, said academics are more important than having a girlfriend at this stage in his life, although he admitted that there are one or two girls to whom he is attracted.

As far as studies go, Ackeem, who excelled in art, sat that CXC exam one year in advance.

“I love to paint. It just comes naturally to me. If I look at natural scenery or any portraits or painting I immediately look at the lines and the shades of the scenery,” he said.

He said he tried singing and gave it his best shot but he realised that it was not his calling. Instead, he opted for dance.

“I was very acrobatic when I was a child swinging from tree to tree like a monkey, until I fell and broke my left hand. Then I was laid up for a while. I was banned from going outdoors, so I started to learn music. I played the keyboard and pan,” he said.

Born to a Muslim father, Ackeem was exposed to that religion but has found his home in Hinduism.

“We never know what is around the corner. So we have to pray that whatever monster is waiting for us will not harm us,” he said.

Although it pains him to see his sisters in the orphanage, Ackeem knows he is not yet in a position to help them.

“I know they are my blood relation and I feel for them and it is my wish to have a home of my own and provide for my sisters,” he said.