Kenyan Woman Urges Diaspora Families to Bring Parents Abroad for Lasting Memories

A Kenyan woman living in the United Kingdom is encouraging people in the diaspora to invite their parents to visit them abroad, saying the experience offers lasting family memories. 

Winnie Ikatwa is currently hosting her father and his lifelong friend in Britain and is using their visit to encourage others to consider doing the same. Ikatwa has shared moments from their trip on social media, including walks by the sea, train journeys and meals together. 

She said these everyday experiences have shown her the value of spending quality time with ageing parents. According to her, the greatest gift she has given her father is not money or material possessions but the opportunity to spend time together and create lasting memories.

She has also sought to reassure families who are concerned about the UK visitor visa process. Ikatwa said parents can successfully obtain visitor visas and has promised to share practical advice on preparing applications. Her guidance will cover the required documents, common mistakes to avoid and the expected costs.

Her advice is aimed especially at families whose parents have never travelled abroad. She encouraged applicants not to be discouraged by a lack of travel history, noting that every experienced traveller was once making their first international journey. Instead, she urged them to focus on meeting the visa requirements.

Ikatwa has also highlighted the friendship between her father and his travelling companion, who both travelled to Britain at the age of 80. She said the two men have remained close friends for more than 60 years and described them as being like "two dads". She plans to continue sharing their experiences and the lessons they offer about lifelong friendship.

Ikatwa said the effort involved in securing a visitor visa is worthwhile because of the opportunity it creates to reunite with loved ones. She said the moment parents arrive and are welcomed by their children makes every application form and supporting document worthwhile.