My name is Hamisi Juma Gushe and I am a Hatua Likoni student who is currently studying Marine Engineering at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). I have just completed the first year of my studies.
Recently, I attended the month long Marine Engineering Cadets Paramilitary Training at the National Youth Service (NYS) college in Gilgil town. Every student at JKUAT must attend this training after finishing his or her first academic year. Otherwise, the Kenya Maritime Authority will not accredit you.
The training’s main objective is to equip students with some of the regimental and survival skills
that are necessary in the maritime career field. We covered many topics including command and control, personal safety and social responsibility, personal survival techniques, and elementary first aid. We were also accredited in fire fighting and fire prevention skills, physical and mental fitness, and life skills.
Eighty percent of the session involved grueling physical training, an experience that most of us had trouble with. Among a great many other things, we had to run hills daily at 4 am, attend and perform in the military parade, and attend taekwondo classes for basic self-defense techniques.
Yes, life at the training was certainly no bed of roses, but after finishing the training I can testify that my life has changed for the better. My self-discipline has improved to whole new heights and I have also learnt valuable teamwork and self-defense skills. After one whole month, I am definitely not the same person who first entered the training.
-Hamisi Gushe