In pursuit of a better life and promising job prospects, a 33-year-old Kenyan, embarked on the life-changing journey to Canada, leaving behind his family and friends.
Daniel Wanyeki was motivated by dreams of finding stability in a foreign land, especially after he had made the bold decision to quit his job as a banker in Kenya.
Fate, however, dealt him a cruel twist after he found himself battling the harsh realities of homelessness in Ontario, a clear contrast to the dreams that was once fuelling his ambition.
Speaking to CBC News in Canada, Wanyeki detailed how he came to the country with different aspirations which were met with a cold dose of reality.
"What you expect when you come from Africa is that you will get a good house. You'll get work. At first, you just don't know," he said, indicating how he finds himself sleeping outdoors as he is unable to access a shelter.
The former banker says he has a degree in tourism management, noted that he is currently hoping to acquire a driver's licence in order to work as a truck driver.
He stated that he settled on the field after analysing the market and noticing a labour shortage in the field.
Wanyeki made friends with Cyprian Ontita, a 37-year-old Kenyan, who also shares the same fate upon landing in the country.
In the case of Ontita, he first arrived in Quebec before moving to Hamilton, Ontario in search of opportunities.
He ultimately found a hard time trying to cope and ended up sleeping outside, as the shelters were also full.
"Someone suggested that in Hamilton there might be some space, and that's why we moved to Hamilton," he said.
Ontita indicated that other Kenyans who end up living in the shelters are made up of asylum seekers fleeing assault or political instability.
Susan Toth, a worker at the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) program in Canada, said that the influx of asylum seekers is brought about by people facing discrimination.
"They're coming here to be safe and to gain acceptance, and to feel that they are OK just being who they are," she said.
Maria Antelo, who works with the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, urged Ontario residents to be more welcoming and show support for newcomers.
"They're not here to add more to our housing crisis. There is a huge demand for working people in Canada as well. So let's welcome refugees. Let's be the community we're supposed to be," she said.
