From Somalia but grew up in Kenya and left at the age of 15 to europe and been here for 11 years, i miss the life back in Africa the openness the authenticity the discipline past over to the younger genrations, the people here in Europe are so fake and so individualistic it's painful. People don't seem to see what they have until they don't have it anymore. Here yes there is wealth but zero happiness, Africa there is happiness but little wealth and we keep on smiling. Believe me if your given all the money in the world and your not happy you will be miserable and fall into depression and anxiety and even suicide. In Africa we have God and people with warm hearts that why we are still there and surviving even after the colonialists plundered our nations of vast wealth. Long Live Africa and Africans

As a Kenyan living in Denmark, I see where Mathenge is coming from with his experience, and I agree that living abroad is not as easy as it may seem. However, there are many Kenyans in the diaspora who are making a difference, earning good money, and making good use of their degrees. Sure, we cannot ignore those who have become frustrated and ended up doing survival jobs. I believe that much of one's success depends on the mindset. It is unfortunate that the mentality ingrained in us Kenyans is that if ones fail to make use of their degree/education, the next resort is to do unskilled labour. I hear this notion over and over again among Kenyans, but I refuse to own it as my destiny. Life is hard, but success is attainable, it may call for one to reinvent. But whatever you do, never give up. Living abroad is not for everyone, just as living in Kenya isn't everyone's destiny. Also, those doing unskilled labour, such as cleaning, are doing their part and paying their taxes. In Denmark, no job is looked down upon, as long as it pays your bills. There are many Kenyans who make a killing in this kind of jobs and manage to live fruitful lives. I love Kenya, but I am also happy with my life in Denmark. I thank God for giving the best of both countries. My parting shot - adjust your expectations, keep an open mind, live your life, take risks, do your research. You can have a backup plan, which might mean relocating back to Kenya with sound savings. Na wale wako Kenya, stop nagging your relatives abroad for money. How about you call them once in a while to check on how they are doing?

Thanks Chams media ... it gives a true insight of the life people go through abroad before they make it.

Any job is a job as long as it puts bread on your table . Believe me going abroad is worth it cause when you go back to Africa you have a better way of looking at life .

Interesting perspective, though not strange...If I may ask, how many graduates are riding bodas bodas, carrying luggages at the market place, doing mjengo etc in kenya? things are not rosy either way..you just have to try your luck where you can....

He has to agree the UK has given him some sort of exposure. Its no coincidence the international school hired him...

As I am east Africa myself live in UK 28 years I total agree this guy everything he I said. Grass is not always green on the other side, If you can make a better life in Africa my advice is stick with and make it work.

Dear brother, it was a blessing in disguise stay at home and be happy there's no place like home.

I am a Jamaican can't explain how happy I am to see someone who can make a wise decision to go back to your country and give back to your society well done son

I agree with everything he said about the UK 🇬🇧, I live here and planning to move back to Somalia 🇸🇴

Me too napitia shida mingi sana APA urusi.. People are antisocial you sit alone especially here there is language barrier 😭😭😭 I did my first degree too in education science .. I just wanna finish my masters and PhD and come back home.. Alafu watu wanafikiri in Europe there is a bed of roses.. My friends I love africa and I can attest africa is the best continent with many opportunities and social people... Ata sioni izi miaka tano zikiisha nirudi home.. Despite sina job sai na mafriends wa home wananitext sometimes niwatumie pesa.. Ata hua sina jibu la kuwapa nabaki tu nmewa-blue tick... All I need is education then I go back home 😭😭

This guy is telling the truth all way around! Wao. I appreciate policy of treating students as equals where teachers are there to guide and everyone respects each other. Thank you!!

Those 2 students interviewed were so smart, articulate and highly intelligent.

Great show great teacher, love how genuine he is !

He couldn’t be where he is if he wasn’t in UK 🤷‍♀️ and cleaning jobs or whatever jobs in abroad, pay much better than in Kenya, if you are smart you can build an empire in Kenya with your mopping job, think outside the box.. I have lived in Scandinavia for more than 20 years, I have developed my life in Kenya where I travel every year, I still love living in Scandinavia, the little things like safety, soft roads, no corruption, those little things makes me love living here... I go Kenya for fun, sun, family and checking my property... my life and heart is in Scandinavia. I’m a citizen here and I will be buried here, it’s my home, I have already lived more of my life here than Kenya. Stop talking like nothing good is in Europe, if you are struggling in Kenya, don’t let these people discourage you from getting out if you get a chance, we are not the same, depends on what you want to do with your life... just saying

Wonderful...I totally understand what he's saying in terms of the culture and the warmth of our culture...excellent job..Job...keep up...

Indeed nothing comes easy Mr Mathenge.Thanks for sharing.

I lived in Europe for more than 12 years , Belgium has been my home , I do cleaning work at the airports, I have built an appartment which I collect 180k back in Kenya, I was an average student back at home, if I didn't respect this work could I be where I'm today?. I remember I lost my first job for about 8 months , I was on unemployment benefits which was 1200 euro a month, where in the world can you get such money while you are still in bed?, I have learned so much in Europe, minding my own business and buying my own happiness, Europe is everything to me and may be without Europe my journey could be different, a journey starts with one step , and I'm ready to continue doing what I do. Never ignore the ladder that took you to the top, every coin has two sides and so is life, take risks and let no one crash your dreams, God bless you👍💪.

Working as a cleaner and your able to pay for your fees huko lazima nifike jaribu Kenya kua cleaner ata nyumba utafugiwa

You can't depend on other people's experience. There're thousands of successful Kenyans in UK and US. If you just sit there to listen and believe the negatives, you are either ignorant, or you simply have no confidence possibly,you are one of those who say there's no need for education because many graduates are jobless.Be wise and tread carefully because experiences are different.

You made the right decision. Iam planning to go back home Somalia too from Canada 🇨🇦.

Good Job Chams Media, Inspired by George Mathenge's story....proud of you George! Keep on shaping young people's lives!

Life in abroad ain’t bed of roses ,struggle is real .

The exact same happened to me!! Two degrees in business, hotel management and a qualified chef, and the hotels would offer me jobs as a dishwasher!!!!!

He’s right if you have a good job stick in Kenya! It’s hard out here

You can insult this man the much you want, talking about his English because you imagine that when you speak Europeans dont know you are not one of them. Facts are facts. It is obvious life is totally individualistic and transaction-al in nature in the West. You can know your neighbors but they are not your friends. Those claiming otherwise are doing so because they feel sorry for themselves. But I do agree that your success out here depends on your mentality. The choice: Choose money and material things and forfeit real happiness(friends, sense of community, and real smiles or laughs). Its true the smiles are plastic. From experience, there is money abroad irrespective of your job but real happiness will forever be in Kenya. Home is not where you are earning. Good job Mathenge going back .

George... you have really inspired me, I wish you could come and give advice to our youths.

Why did I like this video so much? First it's great to see Alex has new staff in his company, as he is always the face of his shows. Second, this show like most others started slow, but the consistency and improvement is significant. I do not know any other Kenyan owned private media company that has come this far. Always gives a fresh outlook to "Living abroad". Great progress Alex Chamwada, and great presenter Michael Tsimangi, now hunting for his other interviews.

I hear your story, however, I feel like it is good to be objective. There are pros and cons in every society. I have been in the US for over 20 years came as a young student and I have no regrets, I thank God. I hope things work out for you George! Thanks for sharing your story

I agree with this guy, if you have made it in Kenya, relax and invest, don't dare abroad. Though a mixed feeling (basing on an individual perspective) life might serve you lemons than expected and not all have strength in making lemonade

As a cleaner is not a big deal in Europe most students work as a part time. I know doctors who are part time taxi drivers . I know a police man who is part time waiter. But in Africa we shy doing some jobs

His story is true. Came herr, left a good job home, 2degrees and kuosha niliosha. Before you realize degree yako huku ni rubbish you are still in shock. Coming from a well up family, it wasn't easy. I cried first month then rolled my sleeves and got to work. Na wengine tuna degree.mbili na tunasafisha. Majuu HUMBLES you! Yote tisa, if you get an opportunity, grab it! You cannot compare the financial power these countries give you. I have settled, stabilized and gotten used. Working to go back to school and get better. Kujeni muoshe bt if u r smart make the most out of it.

I would say it all depends with who you are, information and who you network with is also power anywhere. I graduated with computer science bachelor in 2007 and back in Kenya I never had a job that paid more than Ksh 50,000 , with kind of pay you are stuck in a circle paying rent and feeding yourself, I left Kenya back in 2012 and came to US, I came here to work and invest back home and God has been faithful, I have invested here back home and the future looks good. Its true what George says about culture shock and doing all sorts of jobs but again we all start somewhere, there are Kenyans who have cleaning jobs and making good money, what George didn't mention is that a cleaner makes $15-20 an hour, yes! and when you talk of cleaning most of Kenyan brothers and sisters would be discouraged because they see cleaning jobs from a Kenyan perspective, but here you could be cleaning floors with help of a cleaning machine which is either pushed or driven, I did the cleaning jobs for about 6 months and then went back to school for more IT certifications which landed me on a government job as an IT tech. I miss and love my country but I have to sacrifice the beautiful weather and lovely social people for a few more years, every 2 years I come home for a month. Kenyans are among the top hardworking and smart immigrants

Well done!! I should have done what you did years and ears ago. I did not have your foresight. I wish I had followed your footsteps

Life is about experience and each one of us has a different one! I was in Europe and my experience might not be the same as other people. We just learn each day!

In as much as I agree with what he has to say, I am a firm believer of stretching it beyond the limits.I will not turn down any opportunity to fly out to wherever my wings lead me.And you can be damn sure that I will possess whatever land I go to because this world is my home for now.I call it the power of mindset.Let's go!.

Very inspiring

Inspiring. As a Kenyan teacher in China, I concur with your sentiments

Mr Mathenge, well done, I remember when we met and I can confirm you worked in the school you mentioned, May you excel in what you are now doing

You inspire me George ❤️🙏🏽

Thank you Teacher George for this program. You are very right the life in England is made of people who live an artificial life and they are full of hypocrisie including wickedness.As you said good things do not come easily but come with labour. Thank you for the show.

This is our great principle has a sense of humor and we respect him so much. Kai Sewe & Bruce Sewe Brookhurst Students under his great Influence We notability you as our principle God Bless You

Mr. Mathenge in as much as I agree with you, you fail to attribute your struggle in the UK as the bedrock of the success your enjoying now. Imagine you raised two millions in UK to study, can you make that in kenya?

I agree with everything he said in particular where he said people abroad are not social at at all. Fake smile but inside you can tell they don’t like you. I am also professional with a PHD and have a high paying job who lives in the USA but men I miss my home Kenya

hahaha quite interesting perspectives from George. Excellent attitude!

I thin he had a problem of adaptation. Every country has its own way to be. If you want to feel as home, better for you to integrate.

I believe the reason he was a cleaner is because he was only available part time, that and he was on a Visa. So you can't be a manager or engineer if you're only available 2 days a week. If he was in Kenya it would be no different....

I did teach in UK for six years halafu nikaamua kurudi nyumbani. Experience yangu kule Essex kama secondary school teacher was the worst. I am now doing better in my African country. I will never repeat that mistake of again.

I have lived in UK for 13 years coming as a student. I have done clerk jobs with masters and then became an accountant. I am now back in uni to do healthcare course. The fact is, if you go to Rome you have to fit in, and some Africans and foreigners(polish, Romania etc) forget this. Once it is you against them, you have already lost. Sure am married English.....but your thick African accent and ways are going to cost you as well. That doesn't mean you lose your culture, it just means mould yourself to fit in fast without losing hpurself.

Thank you for telling them... I have seen people resign from their good , posh jobs in Kenya to come abroad... hahah! I won’t say more but God is my witness....it’s totally different out here ! Life is hard everywhere! Make better where you are . I miss Kenya. I’m not in the UK ,,just another first-world country,I have a professional job, but fake smiles , wild weathers , not-so-social lifestyle,,, digehota! {I can’t }🙅🏼‍♀️ I miss Kenya so much .cant wait to invest enough...and free my soul😃

I agree with you brother on the issues of British teaching culture. I reside in England and personally have kids schooling here. The difference i see between the way i grew up and that of my children is way way two different worlds apart, especially in terms of obidience and discipline. This is all down to how much child protection law has been handed over to children to control single handedly leaving teachers and parents silenced. Last week my 9 years old daughter was telling me about teachers not being allowed to go through pupils bags for any reason. They used to do this to collect the homework books but not anymore due to the law putting a stop to it. Im sure in your experience having grown up in an African culture, teaching must have felt like walking on egg shells whilst being tight lipped. All the best in your career plans.

True I admire your work 👍🏿👍🏿

Gotta agree with the individualistic life. I worked in a faith based based hospital which had a lot of white doctors. They would pass you by the corridors as if they don't know you yet they were supposedly missionaries. Having said that, I also agree that Kenyans don't like other Kenyans abroad. I have had a chance to travel and once they learn that you are Kenyan, they give you a cold shoulder. I honestly prefer life in Kenya. Kenyans are social and friendly. I know we have challenges as Kenya but I prefer it here. I will travel but live here God willing

Sounds like a good teacher God bless.

The education he received in England allowed him to implement the changes he is making right now.No country is perfect, there are excellent high achieving schools in England, as there are bad ones, and the same goes for African schools, sometimes what we call discipline in Africa negatively impacts on allowing children to build confidence in expressing themselves and developing individuality… personally the corrupt systems in most African countries are the reason I would not want to return or raise a family there😏

Respect Brother.I like your point. Your very smart person.

Wow I love it .you will be a good father.yes kenya is the best place t be.

Well said George i live and work in London its the worst place for an African my brothers and sisters stay in Africa and lets develop our continent. UK is not only an antisocial but VERY racist place for Africans to live. The children is UK are very abusive to Teachers and very rude and very spoiled. If you are an African please dont come to the UK no matter how much you are qualified you wont be hired your job will be cleaning. The former Zambian President was a sweeper at Victoria Station in London!!!

I agree with this man! Africans comong to Europe even if educated might end up working as a cleaner plus if they get a decent job life will be hard as pay is not good and lifestyle is hard not social

George is my friend I knew him through my dad he has been a great mentor

I dot regret. Am amoung those who have made it. I adopted their culture, i think positiv and i even employe others.

This story has inspired me so much....ill one day gamble like he did😊

Abroad has jobs even if it's cleaning you'll work and get paid can't compare to Africa where there's no jobs and even if you get a job sometimes you're not paid for months

A teacher should be able to evolve with the needs of the students anywhere. Doesn't mean it doesn't come with challenges but adaptation is the purpose of an educator. Most of us Kenyan teachers can't cope with the freedom and power students abroad have. The best way to create an enviroment best for both teacher and students is to respect fundamental rights of children, have patience for their growth, love your job and understand the culture around development in different settings. My experience both abroad and in kenya as a teacher has been amazing, insightful and eye opening.

At the end of the day everybody's path varies. I live and work in the UK as I found life back home in Nigeria tough. I then moved here. The 1st 2 years was a struggle doing odd jobs. But after working hard I have settled and live a good decent life. But I have papers so it has made it easier to settle here. Without papers life would be a drag. Even some people with papers find it hard to settle here. I would not tell anyone to come or not to come because what works for one may not work for another.

you made the right decision, i is very anti social people are so cold even after living here for a while i still find it very difficult socially because african are very social people and colourful.. you made the right decision

I have seen people succeed once they go abroad. It just depends on your luck and perserverence

I have never been abroad, but Ken yans social nature is a great way of life, it makes life easy when taken positively.

so far so good. Thank God... am doing well teaching in Spain. 5 years,I can't complain..... na huwa narudi home every summer holidays... ( June n July) hii dunia nikujikaza anywhere you go hata back home in Kenya

I agree with the man never think the grass abroad is greener than ours in kenya .ben carson is africa cursed? Let us work and invest we will improve our africa our pride

Don't be lied to by this guy. Ukiweza , get out of Kenya.... if you can survive in Kenya , you can survive anywhere.... I'm on my 15th year in Ohio and can confirm to you.... there is opportunity here if you can work hard... in Kenya even if you work hard, success ni 50/50 huku ni guarantee

The people who are in abroad is not they want to be there is because of poverty. Africa is rich but the politics have spoiled it economically! And that's why people say I better do even the cleaning of the toilets at least to get the money to start even the business when they come back. Am from Kenya and I have been looking for a job for 10 years, until a friend of mine helped me to go to Spain and that's where I can say I have become somebody!

The Irony is kids in developed countries are indisciplined unlike Kenyan kids yet years on Kenya is still a third world country with no jobs for the well brought up disciplined kids. Whereas the indisciplined uncultured kids in developed countries like UK 🇬🇧 and USA 🇺🇸 grow up and get jobs to maintain the first world status of these countries.

This is very true. I got a workpermit as a supply teacher in the uk. I went with a hope of getting very obedient kids etc but all wad not rossy when I arrived. It was a nightmare and I said to hell and came back home

very true what his saying im living in the UK i think i need to move to Kenya the Kenyans is friendly and warm people just what i need

In life we have to take risks. Otherwise you will stagnate or get nowhere.

I grew up on a small island in the Caribbean were everyone knows their neighbors and look out for each other. I can relate to the fake smile at 7:03. I have neighbors in the USA who do not even know my my first name.

His statement about England is very true. It is great that he can find positive differences for Kenya as oppose to England. I cannot say the same for Jamaica, my homeland. I find that Jamaica is actually worse than the UK so I cannot share the same sentiments. The only thing I can say is that I am glad that I was dirt poor and remain dirt poor because if it were not so, spiritually and physically I would have been long dead. Well done George Mathenge and may Yahweh, Yeshua and the Holy Spirit continue to bless you eternally.

You are a Blessing from God.

Congratulations teacher I like what u are doing

Very true in Europe.. Ma stone face mob hata jirani hataki kujua

tell them uk simchezo kwa to deal with kid's is the most stressful job

people need to go easy on this guy, this is someone who used to work mjengo in kenya, he knows what a tough life is all about. To hear someone like him say that abroad is tough is really something. Hez ryt, if your living well in kenya baki huko, overseas is no joke especially the US. imeshinda hata wazungu wenyewe kuishi, homelessness and violent crime is everywhere.

This is the problem of a single story.my story is different.if you dont make anything above 100k in kenya dont waste your time there if you had a chance to go to the usa or britain.i would only come back there if I got half a million per month on a minimal.garbage collector in PA makes 30 bucks per hour, do the maths.

These lands of dreams ain't loyal skip a day at work the next thing you know you are homeless you made the right decision sir👏🏼

Yeah we are pretty antisocial in the UK and I totally agree some schools are absolutely horrible to teach in and the students are very disrespectful. I am extremely lucky and grateful to have been brought up going to private school in the UK and I can say it's definitely much better than state schools (which I assume he was working at as students are sometimes quite disrespectful there) and teaching in private schools can be honestly the best thing in the world and if you can do I definitely recommend it. We need to improve the respectfulness of students in the UK 100% and I hope one day we might be a bit more social like you guys in Kenya. I'm not sure how I got to this video and why I wrote a paragraph but oh well! Best wishes! x

Well done you made the right decision East and west home is the besty

Great report Mr Michael inspiring story

Sir I have studied in Kenya And UK, I know why you don’t like kids in London Schools cos they don’t cane as we Africans do. And the culture part it’s true you don’t know your neighbours but you have to respect the culture of the country. I think you have done the right thing going back to home, I am also considering the same.

You do not know anything if you have never taught in America inner cities schools.

Mr Mathenge has just confirmed my thinking ! UK is NOT London ONLY ! all of our people end up in London where competition is cut throat on everything ! There are areas in UK where things are better than of. Since London is where everyone from Kenya knows, housing become no one problem, doing your studies in London or its suroundings UTAFANYA VIBARU ODD NA PESA BADO HAITOKUTOSHA !! My advise AVOID LONDON !! enda vijiji vya UK where life is cheaper na education ni same !!!

travelling and living abroad is good, it exposes you to different work culture/ technology/ policies and mindsets and the positives can be brought back to Africa!!!

But poor guy he has come from far. Thanks to God he has achieved what he alwys wanted

I do night shift from 7pm to 3am, i get home around 4am, i sleep around 6am, by the time I wake up around 4pm getting prepared to go back to work. So if it's in summer thats mean I dont see the night and when is winter I dont see the Sun

Your story is great

Congrats muthee

Well said brother, east or west home is the best. I have been TX for 12years and can not complain. If you come here with a green card believe me you that you will be in a position to compete with others Americans for anything, problems comes when you don't have the paper [green card] you won't be able to look for any formal jobs. Usa has really helped me invest back home and prepare for my retirement back home in 10yrs to come. So friends pray God to enable you come here with a green card and everything will be alright.

Congrats Mwalimu

Everywhere life is hard😂😂😂😂😂😂

Am in UK and am coming back next month,but my friends kenya is Canaan stay there.