A migrant who almost drowned while trying to reach Spain by boat has achieved his dream of becoming a Guardia Civil officer.
The Interior Ministry (Spain’s equivalent of the UK’s Home Office), has uploaded a video to share Jean Paul’s story.
Originally from Cameroon in Africa, Jean Paul was among 2,495 new officers who received diplomas last Tuesday at the Guardia Civil Academy in Baeza, Jaen.
He is now set to take up his post in Murcia, a region hugely popular with British expats and tourists.
It has been many years since Jean Paul fled instability in his home country and attempted the journey to Spain by sea – a route taken by tens of thousands of migrants each year.
According to the clip, he nearly drowned during the crossing before being rescued by a Guardia Civil patrol boat.
‘They came to rescue us… we couldn’t even see land,’ he recalls.
That encounter would prove decisive. Jean Paul credits the officers with saving his life and says the experience shaped his decision to later join the force himself.
‘I decided to leave [Cameroon] so I could improve my life,’ he says. After arriving in Spain, he underwent the necessary education and training before being accepted into the force’s programme.
The ministry described his story as one of resilience and personal commitment.
Jean Paul said he hopes to offer others the same help he once received. ‘If they could help me, I believe I can do the same,’ he says.
Read more Spain news at the Spanish Eye.
