1. Being a Zimbo in the diaspora over holidays...from the nasty jokes to unrealistic expectations. I have met a few friends who swear they won't visit but will just send money

2. Diaspora life when you are starting out is hard, unless you hit it early in your move abroad, many of us struggle. First 18 months is tough. Expectations back home make it even harder too. People will legit laugh at your menial job but still ask you for money..ma1.

3. "Vanokwesha machembere ava", followed by "mbuya vakasvodogoka udyu madeko, hamunawo yekuti vatorwe X-ray, doctor vati vanoda 300US kuti vavarape". I feel like we still need to evolve as a nation in terms of how we perceive each other.

4. For starters, I do not think we can say the "best" minds left Zim, I think we have local people who are brilliant and can meet Zim's needs TODAY, they just need a chance/opportunity. So when we discuss let's not paint everyone w one brush. We have rich Varakashi here mufunge

5. We have some very tricky expectations on diasporas, not all of us are rich hey. Expecting people to fly their families back home and then make them assume every cost is tough guys. I know I can't do that. In some cases people just send what they would have used as airfares.

6. You do that coz you know even your cough is scrutinized....don't you dare return without money seems to be the message..we forget that the greatest gift we have is family. Being caught up in analyzing whether those who left are any better than you might limit the fun.

7. Please don't assume things... When you leave home definitely things change when you come back, you are not the same person..be patient with us guys, Tiri One Gen'a Amana. For sure I would be surprised by changes back home and would worry about what affects my family.

8. Also guys, don't assume it is easy to get clothes/ ..tumasneaker itwotwo could be the ones we got at aftermarket shops like Ross, TJ Maxx, Walmart etc coz homwe yakapressa. Bills, loans, credit cards etc, those things weigh on you heavily.

9. In conclusion, let us value being together, life is like a river you never touch the same water twice. Mukatoona tauya let us build and strengthen bonds. If funds allow tospakwa tese if they are lean let us do what makes financial sense, zvechibhozwero toisa padivi.

10. Let us stop competing to the death, I know it is a very Zimbo thing to try and outshine each other at any an every turn but tjoh, that is exhausting. Ngatidanane!