Omar Bwana Lali, 25- Vessel Repair and Maintenance

Omar comes from Malindi in Kilifi County and joined the Go Blue project at Gede Vocational Training Center to study vessel repair and maintenance. Omar says that before joining the course, he used to idle at home and loiter on the streets looking for any means possible to get money so when the community leader shared the news about the Go Blue project he did not hesitate to join the program.

Lali studied the vessel repair and Maintenance course at Gede VTC and upon completion was employed as a marine tour guide in one of Malindi’s marine tour companies. He says that despite not fully getting engaged in the vessel repair and maintenance field, his employer has mandated him with the maintenance of their vessels and the outboard engines of their boats. “I am getting both experiences, as a tour guide and a vessel repair and maintenance technician, I am happy to take on both responsibilities, “Lali says.

Before joining the course, Lali says that he faced many challenges as a young adult because he comes from a humble home, and could not afford to join college. However; the Go Blue project gave him a chance at a better life and bigger dreams, he now hopes that in two years he will be able to own a boat and join the marine tourism business fully. He maintains that the skills he learned from other courses like entrepreneurship skills and life skills are still relevant to him and, he will apply them more when he starts his business.

“Thank you CAP YEI, Go Blue project, and the donors for giving me a chance at a better life. Keep supporting other young people here in Malindi through these courses,” Lali says.