The Day I Left Dubai a Defeated Man But Returned Home a Better One
Author: By Iddi Yunus
Category: Inspiration / Personal Growth
Estimated Reading Time: 6–7 minutes
Introduction
They say the irony of life’s tragedies is this: we live life forward, but it only makes sense backward.
At the moment we are hurt, discouraged, or defeated, we can’t see the meaning — but when we look back, we realize why something had to happen the way it did.
This is a story about one of the most emotionally draining days of my life — the day I was supposed to leave Dubai with nothing to show for the 90 days I spent searching for a job. It’s a story of humiliation, desperation, unexpected kindness, and the birth of a stronger version of myself.
The Night Before — A Mind Full of Storms
It was the night before my visa expired. I lay there replaying everything that had gone wrong. I had come to Dubai full of dreams, determination, and hope. Yet here I was, packing to return to Kenya empty-handed.
One moment I felt relief at the thought of seeing family again.
The next moment I felt shame — I hadn’t secured a job to support them.
I kept questioning:
Where did I go wrong?
Was I not good enough?
Would people see me as a failure?
In that moment, I did what every fighter does when knocked down — I planned my comeback, even though I wasn’t sure how or when.
A Spark of Hope in Abu Dhabi
The next morning, something unexpected happened.
A family friend suggested:
“Don’t leave just yet. Come with me to Abu Dhabi and try your luck there.”
My hope rose again — maybe this story wasn’t over.
He made several calls on short notice and secured an interview for me. I walked into that interview full of confidence, ready to be hired on the spot.
The hiring manager liked me instantly. Everything was perfect — until he checked my visa.
Reality hit like a hammer.
I didn’t have enough days left for them to process a new work visa.
He told me:
“You have to exit first. We can’t proceed.”
Just like that — everything collapsed again.
As I left the office, shoulders heavy and spirit bruised, I thought:
I should have just headed home from the start. Now I’ve wasted even more time and money.
But it was too late to regret.
I had to return to Sharjah, pick up my luggage, and head to Dubai International airport.
The Taxi Ride — When Kindness Comes Without Asking
I packed my belongings in a rush and left wearing the same clothes from earlier — slightly soiled from moving around all day.
On the way to the airport, I watched the taxi meter rising
and rising
and rising.
My money was running out.
With the courage of desperation, I told the driver calmly:
“Please stop when we reach the amount I can afford, even if it’s nowhere near the airport.”
His surprised look met my tired soul.
But he nodded and drove on.
When the meter hit my limit, he silently switched it off and kept driving — all the way to the airport.
He turned to me and said it was on him and wished me good luck.
I stood there for a moment wondering:
How many similar stories had he seen to understand my struggle without a word spoken?
His kindness humbled me.
The Airport — The Final Wall
I had less than an hour to board.
I rushed to the check-in counter — then my heart sank again.
The staff told me:
“You must pay 100 dirhams due to your visa situation.”
I had zero dirhams.
None.
I stepped away and looked around for anyone I knew. Nobody familiar.
So I took the route of humility — I started asking strangers for help.
The first few ignored me or refused.
Then I noticed a lady tying her lesso after checking in, preparing to leave.
Something told me:
Approach her.
I told her my story, but before I even finished, she reached into her money, pulled out some notes, and handed me enough.
I was stunned. I even begged her to come pay at the counter so she would know I wasn’t lying.
She refused, looked me in the eyes and said:
“You are like my son. I see the pain in your eyes. Go and pay — get home safely.”
And the twist?
A little thank you chat revealed she came from the very same township as my paternal grandparents in Tanzania!
The universe was whispering:
Son, You’re being carried — not abandoned.
The Last Blow Before Breakthrough
I hurried to the counter to finally pay.
But there was another shock — I was still short by about 60 dirhams.
That moment broke something inside me.
My body and spirit just collapsed.
I had no words, no energy, no pride left.
Missing that flight meant:
losing my ticket
overstaying my visa
paying penalties
possible future travel ban
I was done.
In silence, I stepped back from the counter, looked left and right…
That’s when I saw three young men waiting next to me.
I walked to them and told my story — the same way I had told the lady.
One of them turned to his friends and simply said:
“Give him what he needs.”
They refused to walk with me to the cashier, meaning they trusted me enough to let go.
And just like that, they saved my exit.
I thanked them from the depths of my soul and sprinted to check-in.
On the Plane — Tears of Pain, Tears of Gratitude
The walk to the boarding gate felt endless.
When I finally sat on that plane seat, tears came — sadness and laughter mixed into one.
I had walked through humiliation in public.
But I also experienced compassion from strangers I will never forget.
I didn’t leave Dubai with money or a job…
But I left with something far greater.
The Lesson — The Character I Didn’t Know I Needed
Looking back now, I realize:
The failed interview was meant to happen.
The dirty clothes I didn’t change became proof of struggle to strangers.
Each moment forced humility.
The kindness of strangers stitched something new inside me.
That day rebuilt me.
I left Dubai defeated materially, but mentally I was transformed.
Some people would avoid such an experience — and honestly, I wouldn’t blame them. I myself wouldn’t choose it willingly.
But I am glad the universe chose me to go through it.
Because the wisdom and emotional resilience I gained that day became the foundation that helped me navigate life years later — including immigrating to Canada.
But that story…
is for another blog.
Reflection Quote
“Sometimes life breaks you, not to destroy you, but to rebuild you with stronger bones.”
“It is better to get ahead spiritually than get even materially.”
