In this episode Manchán speaks with Lwandise from Zimbabwe. Lwandise comes from a small farm of cattle, sheep, goats and other animals in Matebeleland South, Zimbabwe. His family also ‘grew grains so that we can feed our families throughout the year until the next rains.’ His father practised polygamy and so Lwandise had five siblings from his mother’s side and twelve from his father’s. Everyone was reared as part of the one family, ‘boys have their own rooms and girls have theirs, regardless of which family. It was a very good way of being brought up as there is always someone in the house for you. There is always a mother. In the village the more you are as a family the healthier you are, the more you can do and the more you can produce.’

He misses life back home, but it's just not safe for him there. For his life in Ireland, he wishes that he be recognised ‘regardless of my race or skin colour. That is my greatest hope.’

Home Stories was funded by Creative Ireland alongside the county councils of Laois and Westmeath.