The narrative of Jackson Maina, a Kenyan whose video singing along to a gospel song while adorned in a US Navy uniform went viral, exemplifies the adage “Life is What You Make It.”
Maina considers himself fortunate, witnessing a remarkable transformation in his life, shifting from a former watchman in Nakuru to a member of one of the world’s most powerful militaries. His journey begins with a challenging upbringing in Nyahururu, hailing from a low-income family where financial struggles often disrupted his education.
Despite the hurdles, Maina’s determination to forge a better life led him to participate in the green-card lottery, which eventually proved to be the turning point. Disappointingly, he scored a D plain in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 2016, prompting his father’s disappointment and tears. Seeking redemption, he ventured out to Samburu, realizing the importance of education for securing a promising future.
Various manual jobs, including working as a bar attendant and a construction worker in Nakuru, became part of Maina’s quest for stability. His breakthrough came in 2019 when he joined the National Youth Service (NYS) with the aspiration of operating construction machinery. Simultaneously, he applied for the green card diversity visa at his father’s urging, facing initial rejection.
Tragedy struck as his father passed away in the same year. Undeterred, Maina continued his NYS training, only to face joblessness amid the global pandemic in 2020. Returning to Samburu, he enrolled in the Kazi Mtaani program while persistently applying for jobs and attempting the National Police Service recruitment.
An opportunity to work in Qatar presented itself, but financial constraints prevented him from seizing it. Undeterred, he took a watchman position in Nakuru, saving money for future opportunities. In October 2020, he tried his luck once more in the green-card lottery, juggling two jobs to increase his savings.
The unexpected happened when he discovered he was among the DV visa winners. With the support of friends, he embarked on the visa application process, finding a host in Pennsylvania by March 2022. In the United States, he secured a job at a warehouse and fulfilled the Selective Service requirement, leading him to undergo training in Chicago before joining the US Navy.
Today, Maina runs a YouTube channel, sharing his motivational journey and offering guidance on the green card lottery application process. His story underscores the notion that life’s trajectory is shaped by one’s choices and determination.
