When you first leave home, especially a home that is as full of warmth, laughter, and noisy neighbours as Nigeria, you imagine that the biggest challenge abroad will be the weather, the food, or maybe the accent. What many people do not prepare for is the loneliness that could result from the change of environment.

In the diaspora, life can be quiet in a way that is both peaceful and painfully isolating. You begin to miss the little things: impromptu visits from friends, the aroma of suya at night, or the way your neighbour knocks to borrow pepper and ends up staying for gist. Abroad, everyone seems to be moving with a sense of purpose and urgency. They rush to work, rush back, heads bowed, eyes fixed on schedules and screens. If you are not careful, you too get swallowed into that rhythm.

In order not to get caught up in the speed of things, building a support system is necessary.

Support systems do not have to be large. They can start with one friend who understands your jokes without explanation. A WhatsApp group of Nigerians in your city. A local African church where you hear songs that remind you of childhood. It might  even be a co-worker who invites you to her child’s birthday party, making you feel like you belong, even if it is just a little.

It takes effort. Sometimes, you might have to initiate conversations, show up for others before they show up for you, or attend gatherings even when you feel shy or tired. However, slowly, you begin to feel the connection and one day, you find yourself cooking jollof rice for someone else’s bad day, or calling a friend because they’re the only one who gets how much you miss home.

The diaspora can feel like an in-between place, neither here nor there, but support systems give it weight. They give it meaning. In the laughter shared with friends and co-workers, or in the shared silence of knowing glances during hard days, home is rebuilt somewhere.

In the end, you get to realize that home is not always a place. Sometimes, it is just the people who give us peace and warmth.

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In today’s fast-paced world, especially for Africans in the diaspora balancing work, family, and the pressures of daily life, health can sometimes take a back seat.

We can get carried away by  Yet, few health conditions demand as much urgency and awareness as a stroke.

Often sudden and life-threatening, a stroke can have long-term consequences but early recognition of its warning signs can make all the difference.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off, either due to a blockage or a burst blood vessel.

When this happens, brain cells begin to die within minutes. According to health experts, acting fast is crucial, as immediate medical attention can greatly reduce the risk of death or a permanent disability.

One of the most important things anyone can do is to learn the early signs of a stroke.

These typically include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

Difficulty speaking or understanding speech, blurred or lost vision in one or both eyes, dizziness, and a sudden severe headache with no clear cause are also red flags.

To help people remember these symptoms, doctors recommend remembering face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call for emergency services, in order to save a loved one.

For members of the African and Black diaspora, the stakes are particularly high. Research has shown that people of African descent have a higher risk of hypertension which is a major cause of stroke, as well as other underlying conditions like diabetes.

Lifestyle changes in new environments, such as increased stress, poor diet, or sedentary habits can make this risk become even greater.

Preventing stroke begins with awareness and action. Activities like regular health check-ups, managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, and reducing alcohol and tobacco use are crucial steps to take in preventing this illness.

Equally important is knowing when something is not right and seeking help immediately.

In our communities, where stories of sudden illness are very common, education about stroke needs to become part of everyday conversations.

It is not just a medical issue, it is a lifestyle concern, a family issue, and a community responsibility.