The woman, identified as Quinter Akoth, says she feels trapped in a foreign country with her young daughter and fears her situation will worsen if help does not come soon.
Quinter says her troubles began after she met a man online and later decided to relocate to Malawi to live with him.
Believing she was starting a new life, she travelled with her 10-year-old daughter, hoping for stability and happiness. However, what started as a hopeful relationship quickly turned into a painful experience.
According to Quinter, the man became violent soon after she arrived. She claims she was subjected to frequent beatings, emotional abuse, and manipulation.
The loving future she had imagined faded quickly, replaced by fear and uncertainty. She says the abuse became part of her daily life, leaving her physically and emotionally drained.
Her situation worsened when she discovered that the man was involved with several other women. This revelation, she says, confirmed that the relationship was built on lies. By then, she had already sold most of her household items back in Kenya to fund the move, leaving her with nothing to fall back on.
“Even if I go back home today, I will be starting from zero,” Quinter said. She explained that the thought of rebuilding her life without savings or support feels overwhelming, but staying in Malawi feels even more dangerous.
Three months after relocating, Quinter says she became completely dependent on her partner. She was unemployed, had no source of income, and relied entirely on him for food and shelter.
She claims that at some point, he confiscated her passport, effectively preventing her from leaving the country. She later reported the matter to the police, and the document was eventually returned, but the abuse allegedly continued.
Two weeks ago, Quinter discovered she was pregnant, a development that added to her distress. She says the pregnancy has made her more vulnerable and fearful, especially given her unstable living conditions. With no income and no family nearby, she says she and her daughter often go hungry and survive on help from kind strangers.
In an attempt to seek protection, Quinter approached the social welfare office in Lilongwe. She hoped authorities would intervene and help her return to Kenya.
However, she claims that after her partner was summoned, no meaningful assistance followed. She believes the process may have been compromised, leaving her without the help she desperately needs.
“He was told to give me transport money to go back to Kenya, but it has been excuses for almost two weeks,” she said.
Time is now working against her. Quinter’s residence permit is set to expire on December 24, and she fears she may face legal trouble if she remains in Malawi beyond that date.
On top of this, she says she is battling high blood pressure and struggling with her mental health. She describes feeling depressed, hopeless, and trapped.
Despite everything, Quinter says her only wish is to return to Kenya with her daughter and start afresh in a safe environment.
She is asking for help with transport back home and says she is ready to share her passport details and current location with anyone willing to assist.
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Relationships