Ghanaian Woman in the UK Shares Her Journey from Barbering in South Africa to Life in Coventry
Mary, a Ghanaian woman currently based in Coventry, UK, has shared her inspiring yet emotional life story on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami.
Having lived in the UK for the past three years, Mary opened up about her humble beginnings, struggles abroad, and lessons learned along the way.
Ghanaian Woman in the UK Shares Her Journey from Barbering in South Africa to Life in Coventry
Mary, a Ghanaian woman currently based in Coventry, UK, has shared her inspiring yet emotional life story on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami.
Having lived in the UK for the past three years, Mary opened up about her humble beginnings, struggles abroad, and lessons learned along the way.
“I never went to school, but I learned how to barber,” she said. “I started my career in Ghana before moving to South Africa, where I worked as a barber for eight years.”
While in South Africa, Mary faced several challenges. She revealed that she lost her savings to dishonest people, and at one point even sold her salon to process travel documents through an agent — only to discover the visa was fake.
After returning to Ghana, she attempted to travel back to South Africa by road, but was deported in Zimbabwe and sent home. Eventually, her aunt — based in America — helped her relocate to the UK, where she now works and lives.
Mary says life abroad is not easy despite how it looks from afar.
“People think Ghanaians abroad are rich, but we work so hard. Many die young because of too much overtime and stress,” she explained.
She also urged the Ghanaian government to create more job opportunities and to renew company contracts every two years, to ensure proper management and accountability.
Reflecting on her life in the UK, Mary said she works mostly at night, including Sundays, and hardly gets rest. She added that maintaining relationships abroad is difficult because many couples are too busy working.
“Some men don’t support their partners, and love becomes difficult because everyone is just trying to survive,” she shared.
Mary’s story is one of resilience, hard work, and honesty, shedding light on the real experiences many Ghanaians face while trying to make a better life abroad.
“I 1never went to school, but I learned how to barber,” she said. “I started my career in Ghana before moving to South Africa, where I worked as a barber for eight years.”
While in South Africa, Mary faced several challenges. She revealed that she lost her savings to dishonest people, and at one point even sold her salon to process travel documents through an agent — only to discover the visa was fake.
After returning to Ghana, she attempted to travel back to South Africa by road, but was deported in Zimbabwe and sent home. Eventually, her aunt — based in America — helped her relocate to the UK, where she now works and lives.
Mary says life abroad is not easy despite how it looks from afar.
“People think Ghanaians abroad are rich, but we work so hard. Many die young because of too much overtime and stress,” she explained.
She also urged the Ghanaian government to create more job opportunities and to renew company contracts every two years, to ensure proper management and accountability.
Reflecting on her life in the UK, Mary said she works mostly at night, including Sundays, and hardly gets rest. She added that maintaining relationships abroad is difficult because many couples are too busy working.
“Some men don’t support their partners, and love becomes difficult because everyone is just trying to survive,” she shared.
Mary’s story is one of resilience, hard work, and honesty, shedding light on the real experiences many Ghanaians face while trying to make a better life abroad.
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