Nigerian student speaks of hardship in TRNC after spending only 6 months in the country

Image source: Yeniduzen

Two Nigerian brothers who came to the country 6 months ago to get an education has been faced with hardship as they are not able to take care of themselves despite receiving help from their families back home.

Turkish Cypriot media, Yeniduzen in a publication this week, narrated the experience of two Nigerian brothers and examined what they have been through since their arrival in the TRNC 6 months ago.

...The pocket money they received from their families ran out in the middle of the month, with the cold days coming, they did not even have food at home, let alone warming up…

22-year-old Nigerian, named only as AP knocked on his downstairs neighbor's door, "Mom we're so hungry, do you have food for us?" he asked…

Stating that they were crushed by transportation, house rent and electricity bills, the two brothers and their housemates stated that they can not even afford basic consumer item like bread.

Explaining that the country is very expensive especially for university students, AP said, "We have come to a point where it is unbearable and unlivable, so we wanted to knock on our neighbor's door and eat."

Explaining that they came to this stage for the first time, AP complained about the 'cost of living'. He stated that they fell into this situation because of the high rent, electricity fee and basic consumer goods being too expensive.

Explaining that the house they stay in is cold and heating is very expensive, AP said, “We always sit in coats, wear thick clothes and sleep with coats. "There is no heater in the house."

Their biggest problems are 'house rent, school fees and monthly electricity bill'

Explaining that their biggest problems while living in the country are house rent and school fees, AP noted that they pay a monthly rent of 5 thousand TL and stated that school expenses are also an important expense.

AP said, “The money my family sends to us ends immediately. said.

“Because we have come to a point where it is no longer bearable and unlivable…”

Adding that they lost weight within 6 months after they came to the country because they could not eat healthy, AP explained that they could not cope with the rent, water and electricity bills after the first three months of their arrival in the country.

 “We stay at home all the time so we don't spend money”

Expressing that they are affected very negatively both physically and mentally, AP said, "We do not prefer to go out so as not to spend money, we stay at home all the time." said.

“It's not just us because life is so expensive”

Explaining that he only had the support of his family financially, AP continued as follows:

“We are two brothers, the support we receive is actually enough for one person's lifetime, but we are two people. Surely there are students who are in a difficult situation like us, we are not the only ones because life is so expensive. But our expense is double and it is more difficult. We are two people, we need a parent, our house rent, our bills, all for two. But those who live alone are in need of one person, one parent, and their livelihood is easier. Maybe that's why we got into a very difficult situation.” used his statements.

They pay 5,000 TL per month for a 2-room flat…

AP, who came to the country for education with his brother, who is 2 years older than him, six months ago from Nigeria, lives in a 2-bedroom apartment where they pay a monthly rent of 5 thousand TL. He is studying in Nicosia and his brother is studying in Famagusta.

“This place is very safe, very peaceful but very expensive…”

Deciding to come to the country by seeing the advertisements of the country and university in Nigeria, AP is 22 years old, and his brother is 24, trying to live in the country with the economic support he receives from his family and continues his education. 

Explaining that there is peace in the country, they feel safe, and that's why they love the island, AP said, "They already told us that this is a safe country before they came. We love this place, but electricity, water, rents, many things are quite expensive,” he said.

NEW ORDER stepped in, became an intermediary, a helping hand reached out…

His neighbor, whom he knocked on the door, extended a helping hand to the young people who were struggling with their livelihood, and provided food, money and goods. Through YENİDÜZEN, Molto Supermarket and Semavi Chickens provided food, stove, bottled gas and financial resources to young people.

Thanking this situation, AP, his brother and roommate said, “We immediately called our mother to report the aid given to us, we were very happy. My mother was also very happy. We can't thank you enough.” 

This article is the work of Yeniduze.