GREEN CARD LOTTERY and The American Dream

About the Book

ABOUT THE BOOK

This is a true story by Martha, a Kenyan High School graduate. She was only 18 when, motivated by desire to have gainful employment, she applied and won green card to live, work and study in USA. The application was a gamble. The win was a surprise but only the beginning of many more surprises. The step by step journey from selection to landing in the United States as legal immigrant is both inspiring and informative. She exposes challenges that confront young people with great promise but limited resources. With no experience she finds herself planning, traveling, meeting and living with strangers. She credits her moral courage to her parents who brought her up in a Godly manner and exposed her to both rural and urban way of life. Dad’s parting words at the airport still linger in her mind “Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven…” James 1:17.

Different views about life in America are expected from relatives and friends to anyone in similar situation. As she contemplates on the positives and negatives, she draws strength from her American host, Joakim who said,

“America is not an advisable destination for the lazy and unimaginative minds. A good test should be: If you can make it in Africa, you will excel in USA”. He went on to say “…When you come to America, work hard; enroll in classes to study and stay focused. Keep good company and avoid anyone who would lead you to engage in self destructive activities.” 

The second part of the book is relevant information, readily available in public domain, which Martha found helpful in her settling process in America. It is helpful not only to newly landed immigrants but also those   who have been in the country for many years.

About the Author

THE STORY TELLER

I was born in Murang’a, Kenya, in September 1985 as the fourth child of Christian parents From the day my mother  got her first born child, she decided to be a stay home mom and bring us up without house help, which was a daring and remarkable departure from practice of the day. She also took another visionary decision. Her children would spend equal time between city and urban area so that they could bond with grand parents and other relatives to strengthen family ties. Her strategy paid off because she brought up healthy children who believe in God and who are rooted to family values.

Regrettably the first born, and our only brother, was tragically killed in a road accident in 1998 when coming from Murang’a. As the family mourned my parents prayed loudly that God would bless at least one of the girls to take mantle and become the boy of the family. This is due to the Kikuyu traditional belief that every family needs a boy to spearhead inheritance and assure continuity. Eyes were on me because I was very close to my brother.

When I finished high school in 2002, I decided my first project was to build a rural home for my mum just as our brother would have done. I could not get a job immediately and I was getting frustrated. Dad came to my rescue when he enrolled me at a college in July 2003 to train as hair dresser. Later in the year a friend I met at the college, and I applied for Green Card. I won and my life and that of my family changed forever.

My mum’s house is complete and my sisters have gone back to College to complete their studies. God Bless America!

Martha.