Richardo Forrester positively influencing youth

Growing up in the quiet farming community of Brandon Hill, St Andrew, Richardo Forrester didn't have many role models to look up to.

But instead of letting the limitations of his surroundings define him, he used them as fuel to drive him forward - now he is on a mission to become the role model he never had.

"In my community, I would always hear that nothing good comes from here, and that message really stuck with the males," the 23-year-old shared with THE STAR. "It was hard for me to look around my safe space and see anyone I could really aspire to be like."

"I think the only male that I would have predominantly looked at to say, I want to emulate certain aspects of my life was my father. He was the one that I would have directly had interventions with," added Forrester. He shared that what he most admired about his parents, Richard Forrester and Beverley Green-Forrester, was their unwavering dedication to their family and their ability to provide, even in challenging circumstances.

"My father was a farmer, and before my mother switched to farming full-time, she worked as a domestic worker. So we had to make do with whatever we had. But my father, and by extension my parents, always ensured that we had what we needed and I appreciated that," Forrester said.

He said that one of his main driving forces is to build a better life for himself and his loved ones. He dreamed of becoming a soldier from a young age, believing it was the best way to take care of his family. However, a health condition prevented him from enlisting as a member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

"I was really devastated and for a while I felt a little lost because all I ever wanted to be was a soldier," Forrester said

When he started attending Oberlin High School, Forrester found himself surrounded by strong influences that fuelled his career aspirations and his determination to become a role model for others.

"During my time in high school, where I had the privilege of serving as head boy, I was exposed to new opportunities. I got to visit different places, meet inspiring people, and witness the positive impact I could have simply by being a role model as a male," Forrester shared, adding that this experience helped him recognise his true potential to make a positive impact on others.

"I saw how many males in my community weren't stepping up, and I wanted to be the change that I never had," he explained. This pivotal moment shifted his perspective, showing him that not getting into the JDF was simply a redirection, not a setback.

"I wanted to be more than just an average male from my community. I wanted to break the cycle and show others [that] it's possible to rise above the statistics," he said. His turning point came when he returned to his alma mater, Brandon Hill Primary School, where he worked with guidance counsellors and the principal, who encouraged him to consider teaching.

"I had no thought of ever being a teacher, but she was basically the one that put me on to becoming a student at The Mico [University College], and without a doubt, I can say it's one of the best decisions I've made to date," Forrester said. He is pursuing a bachelor's degree in education, which he will complete in two years, focusing on computer science. For Forrester, teaching isn't confined to the classroom.

"It's about influence. It happens everywhere, every day," he said. One of his earliest leadership experiences was orienting first-year males at university, where he made it his mission to start the conversation about responsibility and rising above expectations.

"When you impact one person, they can then influence others," he said, believing that through personal interactions, it's possible to change the mindset of young men and guide them toward success. Forrester, who also serves as the vice president of the university's guild, actively supports students facing financial hardships by helping them secure grants and scholarships.

"It really gives me a great sense of pride because, at the end of the day, I'm in a position where I can help others strive for their goals and hopefully inspire them to pay it forward so it's truly a privilege," Forrester said.