ROAMING IN THE BIG MINDS DEN

Big were the dreams and fresh are the memories of the long awaited day, the day I landed in the “big minds den,” a place most people term as “heaven of freedom.” I left home having no clue of where the institution was nor what to find there, the only thing I carried along with me was faith and high expectations of fun and lots of goodies that come with the title “learned.”

On a bright morning I arrived in Mombasa and landed at Technical University of Mombasa gate knowing that this was the place to call home for two and a half years.

At the gate were welcoming security guards who directed me to the big hall where registration was being undertaken. In the hall I met smilling and welcoming ladies and gentlemen undertaking the admission which was exhausting and complicating since the terms used were totally strange to me.

Unluckily, I was unable to secure a spot at the university hostels. Having no friends yet and no place to spend the night, taking a walk and grabbing some snacks was the only option left. Luckily enough I met a long time friend who was staying in the hostels who hosted me for the night.

Stepping in the class was both fun and tricky too before blending with how the lectures were  being undertaken. The terms used here are different the lessons are termed as lectures and the students tend to have  a special name, the comrades. I was able to make friends both in the class and around the school who played a big role in my career as a journalist both motivators and dream killers.

While shooting a play:Photo by TUVA

Studies require a lot of dedication and sacrifice, managing both education and other extra curricula activities is hectic and I had to sacrifice my sleep so as to balance them. Passion for the film industry drove me and I had to fight hard till it paid of. I was able to produce and direct most projects both class related and the personal ones with the help of the various lecturer who were my role models and advisors.

STORY BY: JOSEPH NJUGUNA