Joanne talks of her journey from a warehouse worker in Dandora, Kenya, to securing lucrative job offers with corporate giants like ExxonMobil and Microsoft in the United States.
Born and raised in Kenya, Joanne initially found herself in a challenging environment working in a warehouse in Dandora. The workplace was not only physically demanding but also emotionally taxing, characterized by verbal abuse and unfair compensation practices. Despite the difficult circumstances, Joanne persevered, driven by her ambition for a better life and a desire to break free from the cycle of poverty.
One of the most daunting challenges Joanne faced was the lack of legal protection for workers in Kenya. The violation of labour laws meant that employees like Joanne were often exploited by employers who withheld wages and subjected them to harsh working conditions. Despite her efforts to confront these injustices, Joanne found herself trapped in a cycle of economic vulnerability.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including multiple visa rejections from the embassy, Joanne remained undeterred in her pursuit of a better life. Each setback only strengthened her resolve to overcome adversity and achieve her goals. Joanne eventually secured a visa to the United States marking a significant milestone in her journey. After arriving in the United States, Joanne struggled while searching for employment. Without a job and limited financial resources, Joanne relied on the support of friends and acquaintances, often moving from couch to couch to have a place to stay.
She navigated the complexities of job hunting in a new country, facing rejection and disappointment along the way. However, Joanne’s fortunes took a turn when she was invited to attend the National Black MBA Conference in Philadelphia, USA. Recognizing the opportunity for professional advancement, Joanne seized the chance to showcase her skills and potential to prospective employers. The conference proved to be a transformative experience for her. Surrounded by representatives from prestigious companies, including ExxonMobil and Microsoft, Joanne was presented with a plethora of job opportunities that she had never imagined possible.
She recalls that the prospect of securing a brighter future for herself and her family fueled her determination to succeed. Joanne wasted no time in making her mark in the corporate world. She impressed recruiters with her exceptional talents and work ethic, ultimately receiving a lucrative job offer from Microsoft where she currently works.
Mwakilishi, are you hard of…
Mwakilishi, are you hard of hearing or what? Can’t you tell you’re intentionally inflicting emotional stress on a whole slew of us with these kinds of reports? I am going to sic GIRL MAMA TOTO on you upate matusi sugu.
This is a miracle, from a…
This is a miracle, from a Warehouse in Dandora, no education, no training, boom, a visa, to a job at Microsoft. Whoever is doing these interviews is doing a de-service to Mwakilishi readers.
IKR – that trajectory is be…
IKR – that trajectory is be admired and to be questioned at the same time
@Mwakilishi, the people you…
@Mwakilishi, the people you parade here as ‘success stories’ are not success stories by Diaspora standards. Working for big Corporations, or even the federal government in the US does not necessarily mean good pay. In fact most of them pay minimum wage. Something which you do not seem to know. Which gives the impression that the author is not a diasporan himself, which is why he uses Kenyan standards to gauge ‘success’. And by ignoring feedback from readers who are basically telling him that these stories are irrelevant, he is simply saying ‘mtado nini?’
@Mwakilishi, the people you…
@Mwakilishi, the people you parade here as ‘success stories’ are not success stories by Diaspora standards. Working for big Corporations, or even the federal government in the US does not necessarily mean good pay. In fact most of them pay minimum wage. Something which you do not seem to know. Which gives the impression that the author is not a diasporan himself, which is why he uses Kenyan standards to gauge ‘success’. And by ignoring feedback from readers who are basically telling him that these stories are irrelevant, he is simply saying ‘mtado nini?’
I think he’s trying to…
I think he’s trying to present positive stories which is laudable. Unfortunately the definition of success is apparently in the eye of the beholder. We all faced the same challenges upon arrival so we may be more jaded to these stories. BTW, if 13% of these people fall in the ≥ $140000 (census bureau doesn’t break it down further) household income, Mwakilishi will be doing these stories for a while.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:7b32126a-410f-4c44-afbe-1eefe2a85086
It’s the American dream;…
It’s the American dream; hard work, perseverance, focus, determination and ready to suffer hardships along the way!!! No pain no gain!!!
This stories are great but…
This stories are great but don’t require headlines.
Most diasporans have rags to riches stories.
Kudos sis…
Kudos sis…
The story is bad fiction. At…
The story is bad fiction. At least put some more creativity and make it sound real even when it’s made up!
My issue with these many…
My issue with these many success stories, a lot of fine details are left out and sometimes can be misleading, to say the least. Anyway wish her all the success as she climbs the corporate ladder
The problem with Mwakilishi…
The problem with Mwakilishi is that you have stolen many stories from my Youtube channl and other creators and then mess them up when you post them here. You do not have the courtesy to give credit to the channel where you found the story or the person featured on the story’s website. How much would it have costed you to tell your readers the real actual story is at Kenya Diaspora Connect a Youtube channel? That is the least you can do to say thank you. We are doing the hard work and you are reaping where you did not sow. This is downright wrong!!