Maureen Mbatha spent more than ten years working in Saudi Arabia as a house help. Her life there was not easy. She had little education, her employer kept her passport, and the job came with long hours and difficult conditions.
Even with these challenges, Maureen remained strong. She prayed, worked tirelessly, and faithfully sent money home to support her family. Most importantly, she saved so her son could have a better future.
After years of sacrifice, Maureen finally saw an opportunity to invest back home. She decided to buy a piece of land in her village. The plot cost 150,000 shillings, and she was excited because it meant she was building something permanent for herself and her family. Since she could not travel home right away, she turned to her brother for help. She trusted him completely and sent him the money through Mobile money, giving him clear instructions on which land to buy.
But instead of following her request, her brother went behind her back. He bought a smaller piece of land in a less desirable area for 130,000 shillings. He then tried to convince Maureen that it was the best option available, warning her that if she delayed, she might lose the chance to buy.
When Maureen finally returned home, she discovered the truth. Her brother had betrayed her trust, and the land she dreamed of owning was gone. What was supposed to be a proud moment of investment and progress turned into deep disappointment.
Maureen’s story is not unique. Many Africans working abroad face the same struggles when they send their savings home. They often rely on relatives to manage investments, only to be let down by dishonesty or mismanagement. Her experience is a painful reminder of the risks migrant workers face and the need for safer, more reliable ways to invest their hard-earned money.
It also highlights a bigger issue: migrant workers sacrifice years of their lives in difficult jobs, far from their families, only to return home and find their efforts wasted. Protecting their investments and creating trustworthy systems for them is not just important—it is necessary for their future and for the families who depend on them.