This archive report was first published on 15 June 2020.
As I reflect on the past few days, I am still trying to process the rollercoaster of emotions I've experienced. It all started with the cancellation of our flight home, which was supposed to take place on Friday, June 12.
My day begins like any other, with a mix of anxiety and uncertainty. I wake up, pray, and scroll through my phone to catch up on the latest developments. The repatriation WhatsApp group is my first port of call, and it's here that I find out about the latest bombshell: our COVID-19 test results may not be valid if they're more than a week old.
My heart sinks as I think about the pain and discomfort I endured during the test. The thought of going through it again is unbearable. I'm not alone in my frustration, as many of my fellow group members are equally disappointed and anxious about the situation.
As we demand written communication from Kenya Airways and the Kenyan embassy in Nigeria, the speculation and uncertainty only seem to mount. We're left wondering what this means for our chances of flying back home on Friday.
Some of us have already incurred additional costs, having travelled to Lagos from other states, while others like me are still waiting for our tickets despite having paid. The thought of explaining this situation to our loved ones back home is too depressing to bear.
Just when we thought things couldn't get any worse, we receive news that we now need to be a group of 80 to fly back home. This is a significant blow, considering that we're currently only 45 strong.
As I go to bed, I'm left feeling drained and defeated. It's clear that the battle for repatriation is far from over, and I can only hope that the Lord will see us through this difficult time.
Ms. Diana Ndinda is a Research Manager at Transform Research Africa Ltd. She has been stranded in Nigeria since March 21.
