United States-based Kenyan businesswoman and nurse Nafula Sharleen has sparked debate online after sharing a deeply personal account about migration, silent discrimination abroad, and strained family ties shaped by social status.
In a lengthy social media post, Nafula recounted her early journey to the US as a student and the painful rejection she faced from a distant relative who had migrated years earlier and acquired US citizenship.
According to Nafula, the relative had often discouraged family members from pursuing opportunities in America, painting the country in a negative light while never returning home.
Nafula said that when she finally arrived in the US on a student visa, she reached out to the relative hoping for simple contact and guidance.
Instead, her calls were ignored and eventually blocked. She later came to believe the rejection stemmed from what she described as “silent discrimination” against student visa holders by some green card holders and citizens.
“Being in a foreign land alone is scary,” she wrote, explaining that her intention was not to seek financial help but to establish a point of contact with family.
She said the experience left her questioning her worth and place, especially after realising she had been deliberately blocked.
Seven years later, after becoming a US citizen and qualifying as a registered nurse in New York, Nafula reconnected with the same relative through a mutual contact.
The tone of the conversation, she said, shifted dramatically once her success became clear.
“The shock on the other side of the phone was loud,” Nafula noted, adding that the relative soon began calling her frequently after learning of her achievements. That change, she said, confirmed her long-held suspicions.
Out of principle, Nafula chose to block the relative herself — a decision she framed as a stand against relationships based on convenience and social benefit rather than genuine family bonds.
“Blood should exist despite social or economic status,” she said, arguing that kindness and basic humanity should not depend on someone’s perceived success.
Beyond the personal story, Nafula highlighted how her experiences motivated her to help others.
Since October 2022, she has been sharing information online about the US Green Card Lottery, guiding strangers through the application and processing stages.
She claims many of those she advised have since won and successfully relocated.
She also revealed that she has helped bring several family members and friends to the US, describing this as proof that sharing knowledge can change lives.
Nafula’s story has resonated widely, with many Kenyans online reflecting on migration pressures, family expectations, and how success can redefine relationships.
While opinions remain divided on her decision to block her relative, the broader message has been clear.
“It costs nothing to be kind,” Nafula concluded. “It’s not about entitlement. It’s about humanity.”