These sorrows abound.

Most of them unspoken.

Of what we do to our own kind.

When we are all out in the uncharitable sea of the 'abroad'.

Where a piece of paper gives some of us the power over some of us, who the lack of that same paper makes us powerless.

Just like this of a certain acquaintance of mine.

A Nigerian traveller with a visiting visa.

Who became a settler without papers.

And in the course of living.

Had to borrow a legal identity from a legitimate Nigerian sojourner.

In order to 'break back' on top of the table work that paid more instead of under the table with cash jobs that paid far less.

With the proceeds of the work that paid more going to the bank account of the "helpful" sojourner.

Who then plays lord and saviour with withdrawing cash for the illegal Nigerian worker after holding back a portion for "commission" that fluctuates with his mood and conscience.

Making a slave out of his fellow Nigerian who he boasts to others as "I am helping..."

Yes, these sorrows abound.

Particularly of this older Nigerian woman I know through her daughter.

Who came to do the traditional Omugwo.

And wanting to return back to Nigeria handsomely richer than she came asked her daughter to get "something" for her to do.

The daughter being strong enough to take care of her own baby connected her mother with a lady who ran personal support worker agency.

That sent staff to nursing homes and the likes to take care of the old, the infirm, and the physically and mentally challenged.

Being the lady is a Nigerian, she could bend the law and not break it for fellow Africans and some Eastern Europeans and Asians she could trust.

So she would send the undocumented out to do the work of the documented.

And thus be prey for those willing to exploit their vulnerability.

They discussed at length.

With the woman asking the daughter.

"You sure say your mama fit do dis kain work?"

"Ahh no take dat kain eye dey look my mama like old woman o, na just grey hair she get, as you see her so na seventy one she be. Na me no quick marry, no quick born join. And me be her last pikin. Na tiri she born senior me and na so she do Omugwo for all dia pikin. So if na to take care of pipo, ma mama get plenty experience for dat one."

"I hear you. But wetin our eye dey see for dis work, mouth no fit talk o. You sure say your mama fit cope?"

The daughter turned to her mother and said.

"Mama, oya talk to am yoresef."

Her mother smiled.

Genially.

Then said in her soft spoken way.

"I can do anything, madam. Just show me what to do and I will do it."

"Mama, these people are not like us o. It is very difficult to take care of them, but they come to me, because they know my staff are well trained and no how to keep their mouth shut."

Her mother looked at her.

There was concern on her face.

Her daughter quickly said.

"Mama no dey look me, shebi na you say you dey find work?"

The lady owner of the agency butted in.

"Mama, I no sure say you fit..."

Her mother turned to her, the concern gone, in its place was a resolute stare.

"Just give me the opportunity and God being my witness, I promise you, I will not disappoint you."

The poor old woman resumed work in the home of a well to do family one friday night after her her one month training which she did in three days..

The client was a young man in his early twenties who was physically challenged and mentally partially challenged as a result of Cerebral Palsy.

It was a 12 hour shift.

8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

To feed, bath, dress, watch over and do anything else that was needed.

His room and some parts of the house was retro-fitted for him.

She resumed two hours before her shift so the slightly younger undocumented Ghanaian lady she was relieving could show her the lay of the house and allow her watch as she bathed for the man, fed him and the runs.

Once done the lady left.

After whispering to her.

"Please Madam doesn't want any trouble here. This client is off-book and his people pay very well. So whatever he asks for just do it. Also, his parents and siblings are at the other wing of the house, do not disturb them. They don't want him or us interfering with their lives. He communicates with his computer monitor. Just read it and respond by speaking to him calmy as you saw me do and you will both get on fine."

She nodded in understanding.

Then the Ghanaian lady leaned closer to her.

And she lowered her voice just above a whisper.

"As long as you treat him right, and give him what he wants he will sleep early and would not wake up throughout the night so you too can sleep. If not he will make your night miserable. Although his words are not intelligible, his screams are very loud. So just give him what he wants and your night will be okay."

Then she stepped back.

Smiled gayly and picking up her back to leave, she announced with her voice back to its normal cadence.

... continue in the comment section.