Living abroad comes with sacrifice. Many in the diaspora work long hours, take extra shifts, and live frugally just to save money for their dreams back home. Whether it’s building a house, starting a farm, or supporting a family business, they send money back with hope and trust. But too often, that trust is broken.
The Reality of Betrayal
Take the story of a nurse in London who saved for years to build a house in her hometown in Ghana. Every month, she sent money to her cousin, Kofi, and received regular updates: photos of cement, bricks, and rising walls. But when she flew back home to see the progress, there was nothing. The land was overgrown with weeds. The pictures were staged. The house existed only in WhatsApp messages. Kofi had used the money to buy a car.
Or consider a Kenyan in the Netherlands who sent money to her uncle to start a farm. Her uncle sent pictures and videos of crops and workers. But when she came home, she discovered it was all a lie. The farm didn’t exist. The money had built a house — for her uncle.
These aren’t just rare stories. They are heartbreakingly common. Diasporans send money for weddings, emergencies, and investments, only to be let down. Some blame it on greed, but the real problem runs deeper: a system with no structure, no accountability, and no way to protect your trust.
The 5 Core Problems
Here are five key reasons why diaspora projects fail — and what we can do to prevent it:
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Lack of Control:
People often choose someone they trust—a sibling, cousin, or friend—to handle things back home. But that trust becomes a barrier because the relationships are personal, it feels awkward to ask too many questions. The money is often sent before anything starts, so once it’s gone, there’s no control over how it’s used. And when things go wrong, people don’t take legal action—because it’s family because of family ties and social pressure. In the end, you suffer in silence, knowing the money is gone for good.
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Lack of Transparency:
A father once said, “I used the money my son sent for the farm to pay for his brother’s university fees. Education can't wait. The farm can. When he came home and got angry, I didn’t understand. Isn’t family the most important thing?” He thought it made sense. But he never asked his son. Misuse of money is one thing—the real pain comes from the deception. Families don’t always communicate openly, and diasporans aren’t always clear on what they expect.which makes it easier for others to cover up the truth with random photos and videos.
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Lack of Accountability:
When there’s no formal agreement, anything goes. Family members feel no guilt for lying or mismanaging funds. Receipts and photos, even if staged, are often enough to calm suspicions knowing you won’t take it to court. On the other hand,the diasporans often don’t explain what reward or appreciation they’ll give if the job is done well—so the people back home might help themselves to the money.
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Lack of Flexibility:
Family dynamics are delicate. When suspicions arise, it’s hard to bring in a second person to verify or take over a task. Asking someone else to check up on the work might make people feel insulted. Doing so can spark quarrels, destroy relationships, or even halt the entire project. Diasporans know the emotional cost of these shifts, so they avoid them often at the expense of progress.
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Poor Communication:
Sometimes, it's not betrayal. It's miscommunication. Saying, "Buy me land for a farm" isn't the same as:
The difference? Which one sounds like it’ll actually get the job done? Clarity. Good communication eliminates ambiguity and reduces the chance of honest mistakes."Find me three 2-hectare plots near a water source. Take photos of the land, nearby landmarks, and speak to the owners about price. I’ll choose one. I’ll also compensate you for your time."
The Way Forward: Structure Over Sentiment
These problems can be fixed. The solution isn’t to stop trusting or giving up on your dreams back home, but to introduce systems that protect everyone involved. Systems that create transparency, enable clear communication, define expectations, and allow you to set boundaries when things go wrong.
That’s why we built KonnectHome. A digital platform designed for people in the diaspora to get things done back home. without losing money or relationships.
With konnectHome, you can:
- Assign tasks clearly and formally.
- Track progress through photo, video, and receipt updates
- Approve each step before releasing funds.
- Choose from trusted assistants, not just relatives
Diaspora dreams deserve better. You shouldn’t have to choose between trust and control. With the right tools, you can have both.
Download KonnectHome today on the Play Store or App Store andstay in control of your dreams—wherever you are.
Because trust should never be a gamble.
