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Hey Lynn, I pray that you are well, I live in Canada but currently in Kenya on ministry for about two months.\nHii stori ni mrefu, As you say, things are not easy everywhere, One has to do what is needed or required of them anywhere they live. Yes, it can be extremely hard in Canada but again, it can be the best direction one takes in life. \nThe question is not where you want to be, the question is always where does God want me to be. Maisha ni ya God. Good job and God bless.

Kenyans are really hard working u said kweli kabisa lakini ni wajiinga sanaa ?they deserve this ??

This is so very sad...while i dont believe in illegal immigration for the most part..I do believe WE ALL want bettwr for ourselves and our kids.. These people want the same.. It's not their fault they were born in another place.. The system is broken by greedy men.. There has to be a better way.. But we shouldn't have such hard hearts.. Not to want to help these poor families and children..\nLeaders should come together collectively that fixed their countries as best as they could.. And they wouldn't be fleeing... But so much corruption in leadership doesn't allow it. But we have to remember these people on our enemies.. We would do the same if we were in their shoes...

For me Personally, I love Toronto. I know people are complaining that Toronto had changed and Toronto has declined. Anyway, I've been living here for 35 years and i know we faced some challenges in everything. Living in Toronto, You need to work hard at the same time be happy as well. I've been to 12 different countries and still believe that Toronto is one of the most beautiful City in the world. We need to be smart, happy and not being lazy and complain a lot. So in Essence Toronto is a beautiful city. It's the people who painted Toronto to be ugly in everything.

Waw that's wonderful I am Mr Godfrey Enyioha Eberendu 42 from the Eastern part of Nigeria leaves in Lagos Nigeria interested wants to exhibit my God gifted talent which is hard work in Canada because I have acquired great skills and knowledge about this job activities like, cleaning/maintenance jobs, packaging jobs, farming jobs, warehouse jobs, loading and unloading, picking and packing, with forklift experience, production labourer worker, farm poultry worker, house keeper/laundry jobs, a professional delivery driver, a truck driver and transportation operations and I will definitely make an impact please kindly help me I have international passport ready to start immediately.

I am a Kenyan living in Toronto for 8years now. Most people coming from outside who did enough research on the cost of living and getting work often find success. Having met a few of the Kenyans who were featured in the newsclip (which was totally gaslighting type news) the common theme is that they moved to Canada - first on refugee status, without sufficient research on cost of living, the timeline between their refugee status and getting a work permit to start working and expectations of the kind of jobs they can get as a new immigrant to Canada. I moved here as a student and even with over 10years prior work experience, I had to start from the bottom and worked up. And this happens even to people moving here from UK, Australia etc, its not a bias toward people of color. Things are hard everywhere !!

fun fact: if you're black, life will be hard for you

I live in Canada as a Kenyan and I have been here for sometime .I work as a HR/Payroll Specialist also certified in the field. The problem is not Canada , Canada is a very good county which I love and I am gland God gave me the Opportunity to Come and settle here with my family.. The problem with some people coming here is lacking of knowledge how Canada works .It’s system is very far from how things work in Dubai or Gulf countries. A lot people are thinking than you can just come and get any job even without proper papers or you can earn a lot of money and then build wealth quickly. Which is A BIG FAT LIE. The tax in Canada keeps you humble. That is how Canada funds it's high end life many admire and want to be part of. The more you work in Canada the more tax you pay and many don't know this, and it is one of the main reasons why a lot of people start to regrets, because they realize there effort of working hard is not paying as they hoped. Another thing in Canada is next to impossible to get jobs or rent a place without proper paper work, like work permit, It is not like USA where you can use someone else papers to work. the The main available jobs , easy to get , don’t pay much. And also the cost of living is very high in some provinces like Ontario and BC. They hardly recognize credentials from outside unless you came through a job offer. Also because a lot of things in Canada are paid by the government through taxes, like health care, education. Unless you are tax paper with (and I repeat) Paper work, you cant access the benefit, including thee free food available for the needy. \nMany people forget Canada is looking for people to work for them. Not to grow rich and leave. The system is meant to keep you working. Unless you understand how a system of a country works, one will continue to blame it. Let people get well informed and well educated first , before they jump in the river. And it’s not Canada a lone , but any country in the world. Also a lot of these media post about Canada are misleading. And there is also another trap called debt, a lot of people once they getting working, rush to but things they cant afford and it becomes a stress instead of a blessings.\nIf you want to live well and enjoy Canada . One of the top thing to do is, go back to school once you enter in it, get a good education and you will get a good job. Also give yourself time to adjust. REMEMBER you are starting from square one. You are not continuing where you left in Kenya or in the country you get from. Also, the general social climate is not as friendly as those in USA for example. Not many people are willing to help for free. The most jobs advertised in Canada are the lower end paying jobs, which a lot of people pay a lot of money to come for, just to realize the job they left behind was far much better than this, but no one told them that, just because it said $18 hrs and you converted it to your country and looked a lot, doesnt mean it carries the same wait once you earn in from here. The living expense are very different. The reality is, it is not where you are , but whom you are and determination knows no barrier. Anyone who will trust God for help, work hard/smart and be patience in life, they will make. It might take longer than they expect, but they will get their eventually.

I’m a Kenyan American and this is my two cents….Moving abroad for better opportunities is actually not a bad idea but people need to understand that you need the right papers and an actual skill to make it….I’ve lived in Europe, America and the Middle East over the years, the hard pill to swallow is all this places will give you a job depending on the kind of passport you carry. I’ve had the same skill and the minute I got my naturalization and finally carry an American passport…there are job offers all over. My African peeps get yourself a good skill and become very good at it….that will get your foot through the door

Thanks so much @Lynn for bringing this discussion, first I would like to say I think all this thing depends on your luck, coz even in Kenya things are very very hard but some people life is very okay they can afford everything, what I can say, before you move, do your due diligence, have your facts right, be courageous, be ready to take risks, don't be demoralized by what people say, lastly, I would request @Lynn if she can get some examples of people in these countries to give us some insights, and also if she can get these agencies that are taking people in these countries so that they can explain further the procedures and what to expect, . Me God willing by next year I'll be moving to Canada, still doing my research

I hear ya and I know it’s hard but honestly it hasn’t changed - it was always impossible to live in T.O. Fir decades it has topped the list of the most difficult place to thrive in the world …. Commonly known - when i was your age - if you can thrive in Toronto - you can thrive anywhere. Why? What’s the difference? Wayne Gretzky said it? …… is everything? Do you know what that is? What is everything? It’s the key to success in any area? Nike also says it but differently …

Question is why are Kenyans leaving home. Right now it's very hard to make it even back at home. It is hard to get jobs due to tribalism. We call out whites for being racists yet we segregate against each other. We pretend to love our country yet we allow leaders to divide us with their politics.I am scared of finding work at home because my name betrays me. What should make me unique and what Kenya prides itself to have as a country of diversity is led by greed and politics of divide and conquer. Home is not Home anymore. We want to work at home to develop it but the country is designed to benefit the chosen few.

When I came here in Canada 33 years ago, I went do in legal process,My first employer offered me a job offer to come here in Canada,I went to whole legal process here,but I obeyCanadian law to have legal working visa ,and since day one paying taxes ,i earn my hard work after 30 years and receive early pension and still work in a full time job, My advice to illegal migrants follow what Canadian laws and go through legal process and crossing the right border to pass Not to way try find asylum to be free in every thing, in tax payers money.

Life is hard everywhere and problem is that people expect to go and get all at once in foreign countries.

Things are hard everywhere. I live in Sydney, Australia, ranked 10th most expensive city to live in. Indeed, we're just surviving, not living. One day at a time till Jesus return

I have been in Canada for 22 years and I cannot imagine people saying Canada is bad. You have to get skills and get a good job. Whether in Kenya or in Canada there’s always people that are not happy. First years are hard to settle but perseverance pays!

I think you made fantastic decision to move back to India. \nWe moved to Newzealand in my early 20s from India. I'm an electronics engineer. I had 2 kids with no moral support from anyone in a foreign country, it's hard. I never wanted to live in a foreign country but my husband insisted only 2 years & we will go back......but ................fast forward, 25 years later, my kids grew up in Newzealand & they love Newzealand and don't want to move anywhere else in the world. We are Newzealand citizens now. I still think of India because I have my siblings there. But, once you are settled in a foreign country, believe me, you can't go back to India. All the best to you and your family. You have done a great decision of moving back because it gets harder later when kids grow up ???

Thank you Lynn for disclosing this to our fellow people. They think is just easy to live in a foreign country. .. Its not easy at all.\nYou can survive in your country without much cash your pocket. But here you have to do doubles to enable you meet your day live, paying bills and taxes is not at a joke…\nImagine without good heath to work doubles, it’s hard Lynn not funny at all..

Everywhere is very hard to succeed without the legal papers.

I feel like tagging all my family members...life is so hard over here?

People are coming here in Canada blindly and with a lot of expectations. Do your research as Lynn said before you come. Additionally, come with an open mind. Things are tough everywhere. \n I came in Canada 14 yrs ago and can’t regret. There are so many opportunities especially for young people compared to kenya. You must work hard and stay focused for you to be successful.

Lynn I am a Kenyan living and working in BC.The problem is that Kenyans have left their fate in the hands of agents. Most of the guys on the streets are here on visitor visas. The agents told them they can convert their visitor visas to work permits. True! But they dont tell them how hard it is to do it! (Harder than rocket science hahahaha)You must get a job with an LMIA(this document proves to the government that the employer has not been able to get a Canadian or permanent resident to do the job thats why they want to hire a foreigner) most of these guys don't even have enough money to survive for a month bcoz 'they will get jobs and convert their visas to work permits' \nLike that Indian guy said you need a skill. Canada is looking for skills and you can develop these skills in your home countries and get jobs for 20:44 YOURSELF in CANADA. If you dont have a job in Canada you will struggle for sure.

I've been put out of Mississauga because I can't afford it anymore...this video speaks my truth, even if it is hard to admit. Min wage really has to increase a lot, I used to be able to afford everything alone with one job, but not anymore. Or even if education was not so expensive one can upskill or educate for a new career but its just another investment thats too expensive to afford. Desperately trying to figure out where to live that is not the middle of nowhere, so hard to find that balance between comfort and affordability.

You must have earned enough to put your kids in extra carricuLar activities . Thats a huge expense. And you were lucky you got a good starting job im a school system which is hard to get. I have grown up in cNADA AND YES ITS EXPENSIVE AND EVEN WITH TWO GOOD INCOME YOU CANT SAVE MUCH AND CAN NEVER REALLY BECOME RICH.

@Lynn I’m Kenyan- Canadian. I’ve lived in for 24 yrs! It’s not a terrible place to work & live. Life here is all about your life style, I choose to work hard & play smart, I’ve managed to invest here in properties. Although it took me almost 10 yrs of working hard two jobs to achieve that! In short if you’re coming to ?? leave the party life style behind! Here no one has time for sherehe. Canada is extremely cold & long winters causes depression & loneliness. I tend to take couple holidays during winter ti break free from long dark days. Also remember self care is non negotiable. You have to look after your self it’s super important.

Life has become very expensive worldwide. Whether in Kenya or in Canada, the cost of living hits you hard. I have lived in the US for the last more than twenty years. When I first came here $50 would be enough to buy food for a whole month. Today $50 cannot buy you food for even a week. A gallon of petrol today is over $5. The same thing is happening in Kenya, I believe. There are a number of problems when you land in Canada as a visitor. One: To covert a visitor's visor to a work permit is a process. Two; where do you want to land in Canada? If you land in Toronto, Ontario, you get stranded because everybody is landing there. People dont want to go to the north. All those pictures you are seeing are in Toronto. Because of the influx of people arriving there, the government has spent the budget for visitors and refugees. Three; the choice of jobs. When somebody promises you a job in Canada and helps to get a visitor's visa, think twice before you leave home. If somebody promises you a job in Canada, let him help you to get a work permit before you leave home. That way you are surered of a job. There are so many things to consider before you leave home.

I live in Canada and the truth is ,working minimum wage jobs won’t make you rich unless you work 2 or 3 full time minimum wage jobs. Without the necessary skills and education you will struggle to get professional jobs that pay better. Canadian employers value Canadian education and Canadian work experience. It’s hard to get professional jobs . without that. A visitor visa does not allow you to work in Canada. Agents will give you visitors visa and leave you to hang dry without work permit.

Lynn thank for breaking down for them diaspora is hard

All I can say after 12+ years in Germany ?? ( just like I always tell people on my channel), people have to learn and accept that much as there are opportunities in first world nations, you must work hard and strategically ( integrate, acquire knowledge) for you to be able to make it.\n2-As regards Canada just like in Europe, the countries are overwhelmed especially as a result of the Corona pandemic and inflation.\n3-If you relocate illegally, you are definitely going to have it very rough!\n\nUnfortunately people are being scammed because they are desperate and ignorant! It truly breaks my heart and I hope through awareness and empowerment, we can educate people.

Basic tip : if you travel legally, with the right channels into Canada you will not have to struggle. The government will even ensure you are getting support while at it. Once you 'cheat' your way in please expect repurcussions. The canadian government is as transparent as you'd like it to be. I came here with no agent, followed the guidelines from the government immigration website, got a visitors visa for 6months, immediately applied for temporary workers visa got it within 45days, upgraded to permanent residency and got it within 60days. My point is usidanganye kwa makaratasi. Where its not clear what they are asking, they will walk you through it. Am now a citizen bila hustles. Once you breach the guidelines of Canada immigrations don't expect mteremko. The laws here are the most friendliest and yes Canada is made of immigrants. If you can come please do it the right way. Wacheni kulipa agents your savings jameni. Agents live off your hard earned money and they provide no guarantees. You are protected when you do the right thing huku. Currently Alberta is loking for pharmacists, nurses, doctors and caregivers for kindergarten age. Its all on the website for Alberta government. Its straight forward. Bottom line do not expect magic to happen. Once you make into Canada you must get a mind shift, Be willing to start over and have laser line focus. Hukuu hakuna party after party ni kazi after kazi. Hata we don't know our neighbours..

Hi Lynn, l live in Banbury, Oxfordshire. There is nothing in the west, Africans are better off in Africa. Life in England is like attending a top school where you have to work so hard to keep up. Theoretically in the west, the first 40% to 50% of your wages goes in taxes. This leaves you with half your income. Your half income will then cover your rent/mortgage and all other bills. Once you have paid eve body, your basically left with nothing. Our lifes are in forever debt spinning wheel. I am a Ugandan, lived in the UK for 33yrs. This is home and is l know. But l am sure many places are better than here. What is guaranteed is food and health. Food is very cheap in relation to people's income. Health services are free, kids education are free too. These are the things you can't guarantee in Africa. Could be the main reason many foreigners choose to settle in the UK. Thank you.

Never go to someone's country without normal papers. It's hard.

I have always believed that it doesn't matter where you are, as long as you just work hard, get committed and push yourself, doors will always open miraculously and success will always be your portion.

lynn im from Uk additional parent & families rely in diasporan to send them money may God help us life is so hard

Hi Lynn, this is a very interesting conversation. I moved to Canada in 2003 went to college and became a nurse. First of all it was not easy paying for college I was lucky that husband was supporting with the bills as I went to school. So I would say that I have skills that are very marketable. Our combined family income was over $100,000 CAN. We mortgaged our first home which was very basic for a LOT of money. We had our kids and we had to struggle with childcare as most young families do. By North American standard, we were doing good. We each had a good car ( loaned), we made trips to Kenya every so often but in 2016 we decided we wanted to move back home and we sold our home and we did. I HAVE NO REGRETS. There were several things that made us reach our decision. First, I truly believe that for the Canadian system to work as it does, it has to entrap its residents. Even after 10 years of work we did not have money in the bank. Everything we owned really belonged to the bank. The light bulb moment for me came when I evaluated my net worth. A primary school teacher in Kenya after 10 years of work with good financial management will own a plot, a simple house and will start to invest for retirement. After 10 years of work, there wasn't much in the account, our house would need 25 years to finish paying mortgage and to be honest there wasn't much to show for those years of work. Quality of life really sucks the amount of stress will definitely send you to the grave sooner. This is the case for most first generation immigrants. You might say you are sacrificing and building a future for your children but, my observation was since our diaspora children have not grown in Kenya to see the need for money and what life really looks like without the comforts they are used to, they do not have the same drive as the parents so they often do not excel they are just ordinary. There is also the struggle of growing up as a minority group. A lot of our children because they are seeking acceptance will struggle with self esteem, will have depression or will join the LGBTQ community where they get sense of belonging regardless of their colour. The morals are also different from their parents and they are shaped by the society they grow up in. When I looked at what my life would look like if we kept living there, lets say we eventually pay off our mortgage, when we are old and requiring care, our children will not be able to support themselves and support us because they have to work to sustain themselves so we would to move to assisted living or nursing homes. The cost of senior care is not covered by the government unless you have no money. so we have to sell out home which would be old and outdated but still very expensive and we would have to pay $5000-$10000 per month depending on the type of care we need. so as you can see if we ended in a nursing home for 5 years we will have depleted all the money we made from the sale of our home. So by the time we die, we would not have money to leave for our children. So we worked really hard, supported the economy, and die leaving not much at all for our children, we sacrificed our quality of life, and ended up with children who don't think much of themselves or have very distorted morals. I still remember in my mind as we drove to the airport on our way back to Kenya, I thought of the story of Lot. He was pretty successful in Sodom but I'm very sure on his death bed he had lots of regrets why he ever went there. I know its tough being in Kenya but if you have a job or any way to make ends meet, be like Abraham. God will bless you regardless of whether you are in the dessert.

Lynn the problem is people don’t make their own research. Even if you show this, people are going to still go there Lynn. Just like the girls who go to the the Arabic countries even when they see what happens to the girls who go there. People are desperate and just hope for the best I guess. But all countries are struggling after the pandemic ? and some are also struggling with the people coming in illegally with boats. Europe and the USA are struggling with thousands of people coming in daily, which means the governments have to support all these people before their cases are being worked on. So they are working hard to send people back that are not coming from a country with war. Also means the jobs that don’t demand high education are on very competitive. Canada and some of the developed countries only want highly educated people with skills. Who can start working right away and contribute to the society of course through paying taxes and taking care of their families. But the struggle is real.

Happy birthday Lynn! I’m so happily amazed you touched on this subject. I am commenting from Canada and seeing people getting frustrated coming on visitor visa to look for work/convert visa to work permit. Even employers with LMIA approval are asking for work permits. Anyone coming to Canada should preferably secured a job or school before coming here. It is so so so expensive and jobs aren’t easy to get without Canadian credentials or experience . Any Canadian credentials including a certificate will up your game in getting a job. Meanwhile while in school you can now work unlimited hours but ensure you stay in school and finish. Be careful with agents promising jobs . It is hard here but once you get into the system hard & smart work pays. And getting into the system can only be done front door. What one pays an agent for visitor visa, you might as well do a one year certificate that’s approved for post graduate work permit. Less headache and better opportunities. When a deal sounds too good think twice- agents are really smooth talkers and super salespeople from what I’m told by those coming here through them. Be wise….I have no regrets coming here I wish I did it earlier as I’d have gained more through longer school options in my youth ?.

It's hard if you move through the legal paths work or as a student. It's going to alot harder trying to immigrate as a tourist and trying to claim refugee status or converting to a work permit. I don't think people should blame Canada or the Canadian govt. if they are already breaking immigration laws. People need to do their due diligence. At the end of the day an agent is only interested in what's they are earning from you

Well, I think those who came earlier made it. Probably it's now hard.

Hi Lynn, I love this conversation. It is the same everywhere,the cost of living is so high even here in the US. If you go to a different country without following the right procedures and getting the right papers things are going to be really hard.

Canada is not heaven like anywhere else.\nLife is hard everywhere, chose your hard.\nI have been living in Canada for 25 years, and yes the cost of leaving is high but I get the services I pay for.\nPlease don't come to Canada with a clear plan and some money

THANKS, LYNN, FOR BRINGING THAT TO SPOTLIGHT. COST OF LIVING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES IS HARD AND MOST KENYANS DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT OUT LOUD.

What I know is yes life in Canada is hard for Canadian. \nThey always complain why immigrants keep coming.\nCanada has enough people to work here they don’t need you to come from out to work. \nWorking in Canada need good skills and Canadian diploma.\nBut cause people will continue to come anyway let me tell you what to do. \n1 . Be a refuge and process a permanent resident when you still in Africa by using HCR that one is good\n2 . Family members ho live in Canada and working can bring you true government. \n\n3 . Work can bring you too but that one you need to be sure. \n\nI do follow news of Canada every day yes no body is happy about what is happening right now.

As per my past experience I lived 2 years partially without any types of done job or hard work ..So .. I can say that Canada is HEAVEN .. But ... One generation sacrifice for their children future .... If they not have sufficient fund .... As per me .. Canada .. is Best for Either lower middle class who hard work in here India or Rich class people ... For Middle class who never faced any types of Hard work not easily settle in Canada.

Being abroad myself,let me tell u....Canada is DEAD, don't go there...struggle hard elsewhere...Lynn,hio pete nayo nimenotice....congrats gal❤

This is the same thing I was telling someone its not about changing visitor visa to work permit it's HARD! this is the bit agents don't tell you. Getting a job with an LMIA? ! not a walk in the park

There are families in Canada that have been here for generations that have been taxed so hard all their lives. And don’t live near any colleges or universities. That can’t afford to go to school. Why should international students come first here????? That’s right. There is No Reason!!!!!!!

Student pathway is hard unless you really have good funding and show money. Having a partner who works with you side by side will also alleviate all the stress. It will get better.

I've lived in Toronto for almost 20 years, and I can't wait to get out. The plan is to move somewhere else in the spring, just figuring out where. Toronto now breaks my heart-- you see people seriously struggling everywhere, and it's hard to see it in contrast with the opulent wealth that much of the city has. We're lucky to be in a rent-controlled apartment and we've been here for over a decade, and there's no way we'd find anything even remotely similar here now (the apartment we live in would go up at least $1000 if we leave). The safety is also an issue- I live in a fairly busy area that used to be extremely safe (I used to walk home alone at midnight in high school) and now I rarely leave my apartment after dark. There's very angry, erratic people, many on substances, and I've had some rough encounters already. And don't get me started on public transport.... My sister saw someone almost get randomly pushed into the subway tracks yesterday, and obviously that doesn't get reported. It's worse than people think, and it's only gonna get more horrible once winter hits.

I landed in Toronto in 1984, it was clean, safe and affordable. I was able to support myself going to university in the early 90’s working part-time as a waitress. Tuition was much cheaper back then and of top of that I was able to get a grant from the government (which was scrapped I believe). I used to walk down Yonge Street late at night with friends until we reached College Street to go have breakfast at the Golden Griddle on Carton Street. I miss the Maple Leaf Gardens and the CNE Grandstand. There were no shootings at nightclubs when I went dancing. Then things started getting really bad, the cost of living and the violence skyrocketed so I decided to move to Quebec City at the end of 2014. I worked hard on my French and now I am a civil servant for the Quebec Government. I have no regrets. I am lucky to have known Toronto The Good. If you want to reminisce about the streets of Toronto in the 1980’s look for the Night Ride videos here on YouTube. Cheers ??