There are many rock formations in the vicinity of the Bog Walk gorge that appeal to locals and visitors. However, on the morning of Saturday, April 19, 2008, the attention of passers-by and more significantly, the attention of a retired officer and his family en route to Kencot Seventh-day Adventist church in Kingston was firmly focused on the eminent tragedy in the gorge.

Travelling with this family were two passengers: Jermaine Selvin and Kareem Lawson. However, shortly before these Christians arrived at the scene, a car with two passengers aboard had plunged beneath into the rushing, murky waters of the Rio Cobre. Then they saw the crowds. Immediately, the two teenage boys alighted the vehicle firmly clutching their faith in God and dove into the dark waters. Would you jump in to save the life of a stranger? While curious onlookers vacillated over the thought of putting their own lives in danger with the faint hope of saving another's life, these two youngsters threw themselves into action.

award

Kareem, a freshman, currently majoring in engineering at Northern Caribbean University (NCU), was awarded the Badge of Honour for Gallantry on National Heroes Day for his act of heroism.

This young Seventh-day Adventist, along with his friend, Jermaine, didn't care much what would happen to them. Instead, their immediate objective was to help. According to the Bible, the Sabbath was made by God to remind man of his creation and God's grace for his people. So on that fateful Saturday morning Kareem and Jermaine responded to the need for help from the river's chilling waters.

Both young men jumped in and with what Kareem considered divine intervention, he felt the hem of one of the victim's garments. He then pulled her to the surface on to a rock, to start, what he only knew from watching television - CPR. In an unconscious state, the female victim and a gentleman from the ill-fated vehicle were resuscitated by these two brave youngsters.

Kareem, an easy-going, sociable and jovial gentleman had his life changed that very instant when he plunged into that river.

Reflecting on the award, Kareem believes that living a Seventh-day Adventist Christian life equips one to give without the intention of receiving.

"Enrolling at NCU has changed my life for the better as the dynamism of quality Christian education has given me a renewed purpose in life. On Sabbath, April 19, 2008, it didn't matter what happened to me, I had no fear. I just had to help," he said.