Landing in Bangkok on October 3, 2024, was a dream come true for 30-year-old James Amunga, a moment to savour and cherish. 

The nine-hour flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Thai capital felt like a lifetime. It was long, exhausting, and seemingly unending, yet beneath the fatigue, a sense of excitement pulsed within him. After all, his life was about to change forever.

It was the first time Amunga had ever taken such a long journey, but he believed it was worth every minute.