When African refugees began arriving in significant numbers across the United States in the early 2000s, many of the support systems that exist today were either limited or nonexistent. There were few structured programs, few culturally informed case workers, and very little guidance on navigating an entirely new society.
In Utah, a group of us stepped into that gap. I founded Liberians United in Utah, a grassroots nonprofit organization created to help newly arrived families adjust to life in America. We provided transportation, interpretation services, mentorship, and practical guidance.
Because resources were limited, our meetings were often held in family apartments, rotating from one household to another. Looking back, those gatherings accomplished far more than we realized at the time. They created community, reduced isolation, and allowed us to understand each family's challenges firsthand.
“Before you build back home, build where you stand.”
As families became more established, the questions evolved:
Questions Families Began Asking
- How do I buy a home?
- How do I build credit?
- Should I purchase life insurance?
- How do I avoid payday lenders?
- How do I prepare for retirement?
For many refugee and immigrant families, retirement planning seemed straightforward: work in America, save money, build a house back home, and eventually return to Africa.
Unfortunately, I often observed a different reality. Families worked long hours and sent large portions of their income overseas to finance construction projects. Funds were mismanaged, projects stalled, land disputes emerged, and homes remained unfinished for decades.
Meanwhile, many delayed purchasing homes in the United States, delayed building credit, and delayed creating a financial foundation where they actually lived.
Some people misunderstand this advice as being against investing in Africa. It is not. It is about sequence.
The reality is that most immigrants raise their children in the diaspora. Their healthcare systems, social networks, financial institutions, and retirement benefits are rooted in the countries where they have spent much of their adult lives.
As people age, they generally move closer to their support systems, not farther away from them. Children become caregivers. Grandchildren become sources of joy and purpose. Healthcare becomes increasingly important.
Homeownership plays a critical role in long-term stability. It creates equity, financial flexibility, and options later in life that renters often do not have.
The same principle applies to financial independence. Government assistance can be a valuable stepping stone during difficult periods, but it was never intended to be a permanent retirement strategy.
Retirement Lessons Learned
- Build credit early.
- Purchase a home when financially ready.
- Maintain proper insurance protection.
- Prepare intentionally for retirement.
- Build stability before expanding investments abroad.
African countries have made tremendous progress in infrastructure, healthcare, and economic development. Many retirees successfully divide their time between the diaspora and their countries of origin.
However, the most successful retirees I have encountered tend to follow the same pattern: they first build a strong foundation where they live and then expand their investments abroad.
“Retirement is not simply about where you want to live. It is about where you are most likely to maintain your dignity, health, independence, and quality of life.”
