A Kenyan woman from the slopes of Cherangany Hills has turned years of hardship abroad into a story of quiet triumph, graduating as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) after surviving exploitation, document confiscation and years of uncertain immigration status in the United Arab Emirates.
Lorena Bay’s journey began in Saudi Arabia, where she had gone hoping to build savings.
That plan fell apart, and she eventually moved to Dubai through agents she trusted to help her settle.
Lorena stranded in Ajman
Instead, she found herself stranded in Ajman without proper documentation, her passport in the hands of those who had brought her into the country.
After pleading and paying to recover her passport, Lorena discovered it had already expired, leaving her in legal limbo.
She spent close to a month making repeated visits to the Kenyan consulate in search of assistance, often being turned away without any resolution.
UAE government rolls out amnesty programme for undocumented residents
The uncertainty stretched on for years as she continued working, mostly in restaurants, while trying to find a way to regularise her status.
The turning point came in 2024, when the UAE government rolled out an amnesty programme for undocumented residents. Lorena seized the opportunity, obtained her Emirates ID and began laying the groundwork for a more stable life.
Rather than simply settling for the life she had, Lorena enrolled in part-time studies while continuing to work in the restaurant sector.
What is Lorena’s next move after graduating?
She eventually completed her Certified Nursing Assistant training and has now graduated, marking a milestone she could scarcely have imagined during her darkest years in Ajman.
Her immediate goal is to secure a CNA placement in a healthcare setting and leave restaurant work behind. Her longer-term ambition is to go further, pursuing full nursing qualifications as her career progresses.
Throughout the journey, Lorena has also been a source of support for her sister Ann, who trained as a barista and is based in Dubai.
Lorena delighted with the sacrifices she made
She credits her faith and consistent prayer with keeping her focused when circumstances could easily have broken her resolve.
Today, Lorena says the sacrifices she made over the years are finally beginning to show results.
Her story has resonated with many Kenyans in the diaspora who recognise the gap between the promise of working abroad and the reality that often awaits them on arrival.
