At TeachForth, we believe the best way to learn is to teach. That belief is what led to our partnership with the Goldeneye Foundation in Oracabessa, Jamaica and it’s what continues to drive one of the most inspiring education stories in our community.
It started when we learned about The Goldeneye Foundation’s mission to bring access to technology and education to students in Oracabessa, Jamaica. We reached out with a simple offer: could our students teach your students how to code?
The answer was yes.
Since then, TeachForth volunteers, most of them high school students from SummerTech, have been teaching Python and Java to middle and high schoolers from the Oracabessa school district. More recently, we added 3D modeling to the curriculum, opening new creative doors.
As the program grew, we closely monitored a cohort of standout students. Among them, five 15-year-olds showed remarkable dedication and promise. We invited these five to SummerTech this past summer for a two-week, in-person experience that would deepen their learning and expand their leadership.
A Transformative Two Weeks
Arrival!
Our new friends from Oracabsesa arrived late at night, exhausted from their long trip but excited to meet some of our staff awaiting their arrival. We gave them a quick tour of our spaces and showed them to their rooms where they set up their things and got some needed rest.
Week One: Immersing themselves in the camper experience
In their first week at SummerTech, the five pioneer students from Oracabessa stepped into a world that blended high-level tech education with an inviting camp culture. They continued their focus in Python coding and discovered more offerings in animation and 3D modeling. Outside the labs, they joined in outdoor activities, evening events, games, and more, discovering that SummerTech is as much about community and connection as it is about technology. By the end of the week, they weren’t just visitors, they were part of the family.
SummerTech is a unique place. While it may appear to be a tech education program on the surface, our real secret is the culture we’ve created. It’s a place where leadership, mentorship, and communication grow naturally through shared experience and mutual support.
At first, our new friends didn’t know what to expect. But very quickly, they each found their lane. Some focused on coding as much as possible. Others jumped into running events and social activities. All of them sought connection and found it.
Week Two: Stepping up as Leaders
In their second week, the Oracabessa students traded their camper badges for staff shirts and stepped into the role of Counselors-in-Training. This was their opportunity to learn how SummerTech operates from the inside – assisting instructors in classes, helping to run events, and supporting younger campers. They practiced leadership, communication, and teamwork in real time, guided by our experienced staff. The shift from participant to mentor was immediate and inspiring, as each student found ways to contribute, take initiative, and set an example for others. By the end of the week, they had not only grown their skills but also embraced the responsibility and pride that comes with being part of the SummerTech staff culture.
By the end of their stay, they understood that success wasn’t about how many lines of code they wrote. It was about how their communication and confidence grew through conversations, leadership, and care. And when they returned home, it showed.
Now back in Oracabessa, these five students are continuing to grow and to lead.
Leading Their Own Summer Camp in Oracabessa
When the five students returned home to Jamaica, they didn’t just rejoin their peers, they took the lead. Using the coding and leadership skills they gained at SummerTech, they organized and ran their own summer camp at the Goldeneye Foundation’s learning center.
As part of the newly named Future Coders Leadership Program, these students designed daily lessons in Python for their peers. They combined technical instruction with team activities, mirroring the culture and structure they had experienced at SummerTech. In doing so, they created a space where learning felt exciting, collaborative, and empowering.
The success of their camp in Oracabessa is just the beginning. These students have shown that the Future Coders Leadership Program can grow into a model for other communities, both in Jamaica and beyond. With continued mentorship from TeachForth and support from our volunteers and donors, they are building a legacy of peer-driven learning that will outlast any single class or summer. Their journey proves that when young people are trusted with responsibility and equipped with the right tools, they can become powerful agents of change.
A Growing Movement in Jamaica
Word is spreading quickly. More and more students in Oracabessa are signing up to learn, and more volunteers from TeachForth and SummerTech are stepping in to teach and mentor. Together, we are building toward our ultimate goal: a self-sustaining program that mirrors the culture of learning and the virtues of SummerTech. The Future Coders Leadership Program is designed to be student-led, with each new wave of learners inspired to rise into teaching roles. This creates a natural hierarchy of aspiration, where younger students look up to those ahead of them, and every participant understands that the highest achievement is to give back by leading the next generation.
This isn’t just a tutoring program. It’s a movement built on peer teaching, mentorship, and empowerment, the heart of what TeachForth stands for.
How You Can Help
The Future Coders Leadership Program is growing, and we need your help to support and sustain it.
High School Volunteers Needed
If you’re a high school student who knows Python, Java, or 3D Modeling, you can join the TeachForth volunteer team. Most classes are held online on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, and you’ll be able to set your own schedule.
What you get:
- Access to curriculum and reporting tools
- Matched with a student – no need to find your own
- A year-end verification letter for your academic portfolio
- The chance to make a real difference in someone’s life
- Get started by reaching out to give@teachforth.org to request becoming a volunteer teacher
Donate to Support the Program
If you’d rather support financially, we welcome your help. TeachForth is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and all donations are tax-deductible.
Your donation helps cover student travel, learning tools, and future opportunities for peer educators — both at home and abroad.
👉 Visit teachforth.org to volunteer or donate
We’re also looking ahead to the 2025–2026 school year and seeking teachers and curriculum developers to expand our offerings. Stay tuned, there’s more info coming soon.
The Only Thing You Get to Keep Is What You Give Away
Thank you to everyone who made this summer possible. We’re just getting started.
