If you had a choice to live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Simple
question, but ask a typical American and they would look at you
wondering why would you
ask such a thing. Why would they leave “the greatest country on earth?”
ask such a thing. Why would they leave “the greatest country on earth?”
So many do not even have
passports and not only are they not interested in leaving the country,
they are not even interested in knowing what is happening in the rest of
the world. They are grateful to be American. Everyone else is running
to their country, why would they be so foolish as to leave?
As
for us here at home, the answers come rolling in: The youth will
mention America, the United Kingdom, South Africa, China, Russia, Dubai,
you know, anywhere but here… because here, “There is just nothing for
me, no chance of making a living for myself.”
There is
nothing like the airport rush. No matter what time you leave your house,
even estimating the amount of traffic, hold ups on the highway still
make you nervous.
How long will the police keep you
waiting at a particular stop? One secretly hopes that there is some big
time politician rushing to the airport so that they can clear your lane;
but if they are landing and heading in the opposite direction, you will
be screwed for sure.
After the usual security checks,
removing shoes, jackets and belts, and just one more final line, and
that is immigration, and I can consider myself almost at my departure
terminal.
Then I notice a few young ladies crowding
me. All appear to be below the age of 25. The first thing to pop in my
mind, is this some conference that they are attending? If not, could it
be school, or some university function? One is dressed in sports
clothing, so perhaps a team?
Then one individual gave
the obvious impression of one who had never set foot in an aeroplane.
She looked nervous and lost. Could not understand security, whether it
was all her bags, including her handbag?
She had a
short haircut, the kind they force you to have once you join high
school. Very simple and to the point, no sense of uniqueness, fashion or
peculiarity. She stands at the back of the line. Then we walk towards
the terminal and go through one more security check, thankfully the
final one.
She chooses to sit next to me, sighing with relief. We’ve made it.
Then
she asks, “Your flight is at 9am?” I answer yes. Then she asks, “Where
are the rest?” And I look at her perplexed. I am travelling alone.
My
flight is actually at 9:10am and yours? She responds “9:50 am”. Then I
continue, “Where are you travelling to?” “Dubai” she responds. “Oh, we
are not on the same flight, mine is before that,” I remark.
A
few minutes later, about six more young ladies join us. They seem to
know one another but are not too familiar. Some appear to be brand new
to this. They are nervous, and extremely still and staring into the
distance. There is one who is dressed in all black, with bright red
ankle boots. She taking selfies of herself wearing sunglasses in the
terminal.
Then I ask my question, “Why are you going to
Dubai?” and she responds, “for work.” All of them female, all of them
young, all of them dreaming of a better life for themselves.
The
life here, they just can’t make ends meet. They would rather work in a
foreign land with opportunities. According to a recent survey by
Economist Intelligence Unit, Kenya has moved 13 spots up when it comes
to the cost of living, so alternatives must be looked for when it comes
to surviving.
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa is executive director of Siasa Place. @NerimaW
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