Bernice Saroni, a mother hailing from Kenya, recently recounted the compelling narrative of her children’s journey to becoming American citizens. This tale encompasses a series of hurdles, cultural transitions, and the eventual establishment of a new life in the United States.
Originally planning to travel to the US for childbirth, Saroni altered her course due to unforeseen challenges. She candidly shared her struggles and the eventual realization of her children’s American citizenship.
Saroni disclosed, “They attended school here (in Kenya) until 2018. That’s when things took a turn (in the marriage), and I relocated to the US in November 2018.”
Her deliberate decision to leave her children in Kenya for six months after her move aimed to ensure their comfort upon joining her in the US. However, this period of transition posed its own set of challenges.
Upon arriving in the US, her children experienced culture shock, finding it difficult to adjust to a lifestyle less extravagant than what they were accustomed to in Kenya. Saroni recounted, “So when they came, they were like, ‘Mom, this house is the size of your bedroom [in Kenya].'”
The shift from a spacious five-bedroom house in Kenya to a modest two-bedroom apartment in the US proved challenging for her children, who initially expressed a desire to return to Kenya, feeling out of place in their new environment. Saroni elaborated, “They had a culture shock; it wasn’t easy. Now they love it. After two years, things worked out well, and I bought a house so everyone has their own bedroom.”
Addressing misconceptions about her occupation in the US, Saroni clarified that she is not a trailer driver, dispelling any false claims. Instead, she revealed her diverse roles, stating, “I am a businesswoman, a promoter, and a nurse.”
Notably, Bernice Saroni shares a familial connection with Mugithi singer Samidoh, being his cousin. She played a supportive role when Samidoh’s wife, Edday Nderitu, first relocated to the US.
In May 2023, Edday and her three children embarked on their journey to the US, where they were welcomed by Bernice Saroni in Boston, Massachusetts.
Bernice Saroni’s odyssey toward securing American citizenship for her children stands as a testament to the resilience of a mother determined to provide a better life for her family in the United States, despite the initial adversities they encountered.
