Should I quit my formal job in Nairobi that pays me a net salary of Sh. 250,000 to go and hustle for a caregiver job in US or in the UK? This is the question that one Kenyan has asked.
The Kenyan pointed out that his job package in Kenya comes with a medical cover that provides coverage for in and out patient, optical and dental for the entire family.
This question comes in the wake of increasing number of Kenyans who are opting to quit their jobs and rush abroad for amongst others caregiver jobs. This question, though, has raised legitimate concerns, given that the purchasing power of a Sh. 250,000 net salary job in Kenya is quite high.
When this question was asked, Kenyans came out with various responses and advices on whether a caregiver job in US or the United Kingdom is worth going for. We sampled some of them as follows:
Yes, considering that I will secure my kids future by raising them in a country where systems work. – Diana
With Sh. 250,000, you cannot afford some of the best private schools, build a nice home and enjoy a little luxury for a family of 3 but you can have an average lifestyle. – Edner
You can die in these countries waiting for a medical appointment. You are scheduled whilst not breathing to see your GP in three months. Especially if you don’t have private insurance. Yet in Kenya, if sick, you walk into a hospital get checked hata kama ni kwa dispensary. I have come to appreciate so many things about home. Don’t get me started on how easily you can lose your kids over very small things. – Amara
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In Kenya for you to afford all good/luxurious life, you have to pay huge sums. A good private school in Kenya or hospital are so damn expensive. Out here it is free quality education, free health services and at least your kids are guaranteed of getting jobs, but well…we all have different choices or priorities. – Janette
As a person currently in the US, I would say you have the wrong idea of what you get here. Here, luxury things are cheap, groceries are cheap, fuel is cheap, cars are cheap. Quality education up to high school is cheap. However, healthcare is extremely expensive and of poor quality compared to Kenya. Housing takes 30-50% of your income, na nyumba itanyesha usiku. Higher education is damn expensive, believe me, unaffordable unless you get loans. However, this is my experience. No one should come to invalidate it. – Waigi
