How Kenyan Who Left Bank Job Found Himself Homeless in Canada

How Kenyan Who Left Bank Job Found Himself Homeless in Canada

Daniel Wanyeki, a 33-year-old Kenyan, left his family and friends behind in search of a better life and job opportunities in Canada. 

He had quit his job as a banker in Kenya and was driven by the dream of finding stability in a foreign land. However, fate had other plans for him as he found himself struggling with homelessness in Ontario, which was a stark contrast to his ambitions. On Saturday, he spoke to CBC News in Canada about his experience and how he had to face the harsh realities of life. 

"What you expect when you come from Africa is that you will get a good house. You'll get work. At first, you just don't know," he said 

Despite having a degree in tourism management, Wanyeki decided to obtain a driver's license to work as a truck driver due to the labour shortage in the field. Wanyeki met Cyprian Ontita, another Kenyan who had landed in the same situation as him. Ontita found it hard to adapt to life in Canada and eventually ended up sleeping on the streets due to overcrowded shelters. 

Many of the people living in the shelters are asylum seekers fleeing persecution or political instability. According to a worker at the Young Women's Christian Association program, discrimination is a driving force behind the influx of asylum seekers. A representative from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada notes an increase in calls at their Hamilton office which is experiencing a surge of refugee claimants. Asylum seekers often first arrive in Toronto, where the shelter systems are overwhelmed, and then move on to Hamilton. 

Comments

Maxiley (not verified)     Mon, 07/31/2023 @ 01:12am

In reply to by MakOnyango (not verified)

On top of that,some brag when they talk of what they make in Kenyan money,forgetting, or conveniently ignoring thr fact that these two economies totally different in all aspects.
Humility is an attribute some have forgotten,just because they live and work in foreign countries where the pay is relatively better;
especially USA,Canada,and UK.Nchi za wazungu.
On this topic of homelessness majuu,Mwakilishi has highlited it before.It's nothing new,but if Iremember correctly some of these homeless Kenyans had mental issues.
@MakOnyango, some of the Kenyans you mentioned probably live paycheck to paycheck,and missing two paychecks without Income protection Insurance could easily make some of them homeless.To me homeless is not necessarily living on the streets.You are "homeless" when shacking at a friend's or relative's house due to your inability to have your own place for whatever reason,save for if you are just a temporariy visitor.

Maxiley (not verified)     Mon, 07/31/2023 @ 01:13am

In reply to by MakOnyango (not verified)

On top of that,some brag when they talk of what they make in Kenyan money,forgetting, or conveniently ignoring thr fact that these two economies totally different in all aspects.
Humility is an attribute some have forgotten,just because they live and work in foreign countries where the pay is relatively better;
especially USA,Canada,and UK.Nchi za wazungu.
On this topic of homelessness majuu,Mwakilishi has highlited it before.It's nothing new,but if Iremember correctly some of these homeless Kenyans had mental issues.
@MakOnyango, some of the Kenyans you mentioned probably live paycheck to paycheck,and missing two paychecks without Income protection Insurance could easily make some of them homeless.To me homeless is not necessarily living on the streets.You are "homeless" when shacking at a friend's or relative's house due to your inability to have your own place for whatever reason,save for if you are just a temporariy visitor.

Mūndūmūgo (not verified)     Sun, 07/30/2023 @ 08:14pm

My question has always been why a mature settled individual would leave a good life, family and the best climate on the planet for uncertainty, no close family and brutal winters up north or horrible summers down south. It's fine for a fresh high school or college grad but questionable for older individuals.

Maxiley (not verified)     Mon, 07/31/2023 @ 01:07pm

In reply to by Mūndūmūgo (not verified)

Good question@ Mundumugo, Majuu is not for everybody. I have a friend who left a top job in one of those big tea companies and transplanted in USA ,with his family. Last year his wife left him,thought he make good money, status wise, he is very low.His kids are pretty much Americans,after 18 they do what they want.Obviusly he laments his decision to come,in hind site.He think his family would still be intack ,if he were still in Kenya.And I say chance are pretty good he would not have the problems he is facing here.
Unfortunately there are afew Kenyans in this predicament. Agood life could actually be lived anywhere.Granted there are more opportunities in USA compared to Kenya,in addition to better standard of living, one has to content him/herself with the shock of changes that come with transplanting.And as we know some are quite' earth shattering'.
Yes, removing yourself from your comfort zone takes some gravitas,and there is no guarantee that you will create another"comfort zone" again.
Unless your life is in danger,stay put in Kenya if you are doing very well financially,and are over the age of 35. There is no point in relocating merely because your country is a "Shit hole"

Mūndūmūgo (not verified)     Tue, 08/01/2023 @ 07:43am

In reply to by Maxiley (not verified)

Ndugu I have a lot of family in Kenya and quite a few are living an envious life. If you can visit family when you want afford to employ people to help you with with your shamba and house and live in a nice suburb, why would you give that up? Your skin color in Kenya will never be considered a threat. I've always thought people who've earned degrees and have solid jobs in Kenya should get some counseling before moving.

Mathenge (not verified)     Tue, 08/01/2023 @ 11:13pm

In reply to by Mūndūmūgo (not verified)

Wow, why are you speaking like one hundred strong men today @Mundumugo? Everything you are saying make a lot of sense!

Life in the western countries have Tremendously changed from the days one could easily adapt to the way of life. Now you must work like a lost slave to make ends meet in Canada, etc. Huyu Kijana must hustle extra hard to get off the streets!

Kelly (not verified)     Sun, 07/30/2023 @ 08:54pm

Wanyeki - what kind of a JOB are you looking for in Canada? I know several Kenyans who are doing odd jobs in Canada, and they are making it Ok! Winter is soon coming and you can find a job clearing snow on City streets, etc! At 33 you can volunteer to join the Canadian Army. The Army will s enlisting there! You need to do what it takes to earn a living as you find something more permanent. Just saying dude!

SimamaImara (not verified)     Sun, 07/30/2023 @ 10:46pm

He needs to watch in pursuit of happiness movie and those new in US coming to America. Naija have one called coming from America. Must be hilarious

Formerlyguest 2 (not verified)     Mon, 07/31/2023 @ 08:21pm

In reply to by SimamaImara (not verified)

Hapo I agree. You can rise and fall and do it again multiple times in America. One failure and you become homeless majuu, if you have makaratasi, then do what you can and get back at it. There are so many things one can do in these countries if you set your mind to it.

Mkenya1993 (not verified)     Mon, 07/31/2023 @ 08:08pm

This is such useless reporting. They have made a mockery of this man’s suffering by not telling his story.

Guest (not verified)     Tue, 08/01/2023 @ 01:03pm

People need to understand these people arrive at the airport and then claim asylum immediately they land.If they do not get returned or detained they end up on the street once released from the airport When you claim asylum you are given a temporary resident permit and can even get assistance to look for housing.The problem is the system is backed up .Without a work permit you cannot work and the shelters are full these are places that will give you a place to sleep when you have no papers.Right now there are people arriving and finding themselves sleeping on the street.Canada immigration system is overwhelmed and they will not admit it.Probably this dude is still waiting for his work permit or his asylum case was denied once that happens ni kusurvive as long as you are not a criminal in Toronto they do not hunt for you like ICE in the USA to make matters worse there are not that many under the table jobs that pay a wage where he can pay rent in Hamilton where the rent is above 1000 CAD a month.Shelters will give free food but not a bed if they are full.

Shomba (not verified)     Tue, 08/01/2023 @ 11:20pm

Some folks are really well blessed with a good heart! I can see wanyeki is even smiling holding a piece of potato on a paper plate while roaming the streets! Life ain’t fair for sure! Ngai!

Mkenya halisi (not verified)     Wed, 08/02/2023 @ 06:24pm

Brainwashed stupid Africans who r so foolish leaving their country to go enslave themselves with the colonialists.If ur doing ok hapa kenya kaaa hapa tafadhali but if u find yourself majuu ma heaven n u go thru shit carry yr own shit,die alone,suffer even suffer alone juu ur the one who brot yr ass there.Waafrica Mbona sisi tumenjazwa na unjinga or makamasi kwa kichwa.

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