Felix Kabenla Andenle is a Ghanaian migrant who previously lived in Israel for nine years and is currently based in Newtown, United Kingdom, where he has spent the last six months. His journey across countries is filled with hard work, sacrifice, disappointment, and lessons he believes every young person should learn before deciding to travel abroad.
Felix is from Abrasuwase in Dwomoro, Ghana. Before migrating, he was a self-employed electrician, earning a living through his trade. His nephews later helped him travel to Israel, where he eventually settled and worked for nearly a decade.
According to Felix, work in Israel is good, and money can be made. However, life there comes with serious challenges. Migrants often cannot return to Ghana freely, and legal residence permits (documents) must be renewed every four months. Over time, Felix lost his documents and was forced to hide from the authorities. Eventually, when he was caught, a ticket was bought for him, and he was returned to Ghana.
Despite the legal challenges, Felix said he worked very hard in Israel and earned good money. He sent large amounts of money home to Ghana, trusting his family to invest it wisely. Sadly, when he finally returned, he discovered that the money he sent had been misused. The house built for him was not what he expected and did not reflect the amount he had sent. The pain was so deep that he cried when he arrived home and admitted he felt anger toward those who handled his money.
His brother advised him to be patient. Felix even bought a car for his brother to use as a business, expecting repayment. However, after four years, his brother had paid him nothing. This disappointment pushed Felix to make another difficult decision—to travel again, this time to the United Kingdom.
While in Israel, Felix’s electrical skills stood out. One day, when power went off in a house where he worked, he fixed it. This led to him being introduced to a professional electrician, and Felix worked with him for three years, gaining solid experience. However, upon arriving in the UK, he faced another reality: skills alone are not enough. In the UK, electricians must attend school, obtain certifications, and hold official cards before they are allowed to work legally. Felix admits that academics have never been his strength, making the process difficult.
During his nine years in Israel, Felix never married, but he has a child. After returning to Ghana from Israel, he realized that the small businesses he had started before leaving had collapsed. Shops around him in places like Mankessim had grown far ahead, and he needed capital to restart his life. This need for money pushed him to leave Ghana again for the UK.
Felix has been working in the UK for about three months, but his heart remains in Ghana. He says he plans to return soon. Looking back at his journey at 45 years old, Felix is firm in his advice:
“I will not advise anyone to travel in search of greener pastures.”
He explains that life abroad comes with temptations, distractions, and expenses that drain money quickly. He believes poor choices—such as womanizing and careless spending—can easily destroy years of hard work. He admits that people warned him, but he did not listen.
Today, Felix’s story stands as a warning and a lesson. Traveling abroad does not automatically guarantee success. Without planning, discipline, trust management, and a clear purpose, the dream of greener pastures can turn into regret.
Watch The Video Below:
About The Author
