Emigrating to England

Returning from India with the failed mission, Sam Lingayah encountered as a consequence the full brunt of a community bordering on feudalism and buried in a tradition of non-interference in the state of society as prevailed. Still bound by his commit to turn his life around, Sam, in 1961, Sam left the colony ravaged by chronic unemployment and joined the exodus to England. Persevering and taking any jobs that came across, he attended evening classes. In 1979, 14 years after emigration, he graduated in Sociology and began his social work career. He was a social work practitioner until 2008, 14 years of which he worked for Hackney Council. Exposure of corruption, conflict and bias in provision of services led to Sam’s harassment and finally to forced early retirement.  

 Life as Immigrants

The first part of the Reminiscences constitutes the backdrop to the life and struggle of another ambitious migrant worker in the pursuit of dreams and goals. In doing so Sam has demystified the erroneous perception that migrant workers are a burden instead of an asset to their adopted country. Like many others, he has shown that hard work, sacrifices and tolerance have their rewards.

Celebration of Dreams and Goals

 Fascinated by writing and further education, Sam Lingayah started writing and publishing articles on social work issues as long ago as 1983. He has also carried out a few studies. As for post-graduate education, in 1991, the once child labourer successfully studied for a Master’s Degree at Brunel University and in 1995 he completed his PhD thesis on Social Welfare in Mauritius at Middlesex University.

As Role Model

Reminiscences of an Immigrant is a story of our time, when immigration is preoccupying the mind of the nation. It is also an inspiring account of a long gruelling journey successfully realised and useful for others to emulate. It demonstrates vividly of the enormous often untapped human capacity and endurance for survival and success, the two main factors, which have driven so many outsiders into taking the great risks entailed in the initially uncertain migration adventure.