I Should Have Been Told -By Honoratha Lwiza Msc

Stories we needed to hear growing up

A powerful immigrant story of truth, struggle, and survival.

From Africa to the UK and the United States- The realities no one prepares you for

Buy the book English or Swahili on Amazon, Barnes and noble or Lulu:

https://www.amazon.com/I-Should-Have-Been-Told-ebook/dp/B0FXJ95WQ5

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Buy and listen to the Audiobooks in English or Swahili versions anywhere on the road, driving, walking, or working

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English Audio I should have been told_by Honoratha Lwiza Msc

https://kafula2.gumroad.com/l/wcnpza

Buy Swahili Audiobook

Swahili Audio “Ningepaswa kuambiwa ” Imesimuliwa na Honoratha Lwiza _Msc

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A sturdy, weathered wooden front door painted a deep, rich blue stands slightly ajar, revealing a warm interior hallway lined with bookshelves overflowing with worn paperbacks and neatly labeled binders. A small woven welcome mat rests on the doorstep, patterned with subtle geometric designs inspired by East African textiles. Late afternoon natural light streams from an unseen window inside, casting soft golden beams across the polished floor and highlighting faint scuff marks that hint at years of comings and goings. Shot at eye level with a shallow depth of field, the doorframe remains in crisp focus while the interior softens to a gentle blur, creating a photographic realism that feels calm, reflective, and inviting, symbolizing the threshold between cultures and the stories that unfold within.

A simple, well-used wooden kitchen table sits in the center of a modest, sunlit room, its surface covered with an open notebook filled with neat handwritten reflections, a closed laptop, a chipped ceramic mug, and a small stack of official envelopes from various government agencies. Soft morning light filters through sheer white curtains, illuminating faint ring marks and scratches on the table’s surface, evidence of years of family life and difficult conversations. In the background, slightly out of focus, a refrigerator door is covered with children’s drawings, appointment reminders, and a hand-written budget pinned with mismatched magnets. Captured from a slightly elevated angle in clean, sharp photographic realism, the composition uses the rule of thirds to create a quiet, contemplative mood that speaks to resilience, paperwork, and the everyday balancing act of immigrant life.

About

I’m Honoratha Lwiza, sharing the lessons I wish someone had explained before I left home—about culture shock, marriage expectations, careers, and raising confident children between worlds

My story

Stories

Fresh posts on immigrant resilience, family, and work

A compact, meticulously organized home office corner is tucked into a bright living room, featuring a slim wooden desk with a matte black laptop, a thick bilingual dictionary open to a bookmarked page, and a neatly stacked pile of resumes printed on crisp white paper. A corkboard on the wall above holds color-coded sticky notes, job postings, and a small index card titled “Goals” written in careful handwriting. Soft, diffused daylight from a nearby window creates gentle, even illumination, reducing harsh shadows and reflecting subtly off the laptop screen. Photographed at an eye-level, three-quarter angle with moderate depth of field, the front objects remain in tack-sharp focus while the background couch and bookshelf dissolve into a quiet blur. The photographic style is clean and professional, capturing a mood of determination, planning, and the persistent pursuit of a stable career in a new country.

Mission

I Should Have Been Told creates a gentle, honest space where immigrant families can unpack silence, name hard truths, and build grounded, cross‑cultural resilience together

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A neatly set dining table blends two worlds: a smooth, modern white tabletop supports a colorful array of traditional East African serving dishes alongside minimalist Western-style plates and cutlery. A woven grass basket holds flatbreads, while a sleek glass carafe contains water infused with lemon slices. Behind the table, a pale neutral wall is decorated with a single, framed map showing two continents connected by a delicate red thread. Warm pendant lighting from above casts a soft, golden glow, creating gentle reflections on the glassware and subtle shadows around the textured basket. Captured in photographic realism from a slightly elevated, centered viewpoint, the composition emphasizes harmony and balance, with a calm, respectful atmosphere that symbolizes the quiet blending of cultural traditions within a Western home.

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