Good day father, here is my experience in the diaspora.
I moved to the UK from Zimbabwe two and a half years ago, mainly for economic reasons. Like many others, I carried the common belief that life in the diaspora was easy and that wealth would come quickly. Unfortunately, that perception could not have been further from the truth. I live in a small city, yet life is extremely expensive. Taxes alone are shocking—money may look good on paper, but once taxes, rent, utilities, transport, and other bills are deducted, very little is left. Sometimes you never even “see” the money you worked so hard for.
The cultural shock was real and overwhelming. Society here is very liberal. Casual sex is normalized, drugs are common, and faith often feels diluted. While Christianity exists, there are constant divisions, especially between Catholics and Protestants. Church attendance has become almost impossible due to exhausting work shifts, long hours, and distance. Many times, physical fatigue wins. I now try to hold on to my faith through online services, but it is not the same as being in fellowship.
Social life is almost nonexistent. Loneliness is one of the heaviest burdens of life here. Even when you know people, work patterns and rotating shifts make it hard to meet or build meaningful relationships. Over time, depression quietly creeps in and begins to cripple daily life.
Work ethics in the UK are brutal. Long hours and night shifts take a toll on health, relationships, and even parenting. The weather worsens things—long winters, limited sunlight, and extreme cold that seeps into your bones. Seasonal depression is real and affects many people, especially those from warmer climates.
“Black tax” is another painful reality. Families back home often believe that once you arrive here, money is unlimited—mari haizivane. When you try to explain the truth, you risk being misunderstood, resented, or even hated. Meanwhile, the financial system here feels like modern slavery: loans, overdrafts, and endless bills. You work just to service debt, trapped in a vicious cycle.
Relationships are also strained. Dating is far harder than I ever imagined—the saying “hakuna varume” suddenly makes sense. Long-distance relationships often fail, leaving deep emotional wounds. For those who came alone, loneliness becomes a constant companion. Even married couples must be deeply united and God-fearing to survive, as temptation is everywhere.
Despite all this, there are positives: exposure, systems that work, personal growth, and better opportunities for children. Still, if Zimbabwe’s economy genuinely improved, I would not hesitate—I would book the earliest flight home. Home is where the heart is.
The diaspora will refine you, but if you are not prepared, it will break you.
Receive Jesus Christ today and go to church for spiritual fellowship.
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