Challenges Women Face While Hustling Abroad

In pursuit of dreams, Kenyan women set sail from the harbor, aspiring for lucrative opportunities that promise to transform their lives. Yet, the paradox unfolds as the pursuit for improvement compels some to forsake their true passions, embracing unfamiliar occupations solely for financial gain. Despite the struggles, the fruits of their labor hold the promise of a better future, woven into the challenges of raising families.

Navigating the challenges of foreign shores, Kenyan women grapple with the looming threats of stress and mental health risks. Departing from a societal backdrop that often confines them to roles of child bearers and housewives, these women find themselves compelled to assume dual responsibilities as both breadwinners and family pillars. The strain intensifies as they clock additional working hours for minimal wages, leaving scant attention for their children—a poignant and, at times, traumatic reality.

Aware of the potential consequences, these women, resilient as lionesses, confront the challenges head-on in their quest to reshape generational wealth. In the face of lingering pain, adaptation becomes their forte, skillfully transforming life’s bitter lemons into the sweet lemonades of resilience amid the adversities they encounter.

The concept of “black tax” echoes through the experiences of those working abroad, where love for family intertwines with the burden of financial responsibility. Climbing the Everest of black tax is no small feat, as individuals strive to break the generational curse of poverty within their lifetime. For the youth, especially women, navigating the complexities of starting their own projects while ensuring financial stability for their families in Africa becomes a formidable challenges .

In addition to economic challenges, these women confront a myriad of social hurdles. Racism and disdainful treatment abroad, coupled with the vulnerability to scams from their home country, create a complex web of difficulties. The looming threats of deportation further intensify the social challenges they navigate in their pursuit of a better life.

The poet finds solace in succinct lines, confident that her message has found its home. As consumers of this art, like you, the stark reality unfolds—the lives of women abroad are far from rosy. They toil relentlessly, perhaps tenfold, compared to their middle-class counterparts at home, navigating the delicate balance between family and demanding occupations.