A WOMAN has revealed how she ditched the UK and moved abroad for a life in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Emilie Larter, 32, found love in the country when she was volunteering and found a 5-day-old orphan she bonded with.
Now Emilie is a mum-of-four and revealed how much it really costs to live there[/caption]
She said while the meeting was ‘unexpected,’ it changed the trajectory of her life forever and made Uganda her home.
Out of 186 countries, Uganda is ranked as number 161 for how big the countries economy is, while Luxembourg takes the number one spot.
Emilie, now a mum-of-four, was asked to take care of the young boy, Adam, while volunteering and was so smitten she extended her stay.
In 2016, Emilie decided to move to Uganda permanently and began the adoption process and during that time she met her husband Josh.
She revealed he quickly took on the role of dad for Adam and the pair ended up also adopting George and Tallie, two young children from Josh’s family in 2018.
Their younger brother, James, joined the family in 2020 and Emilie and Josh have looked after all four kids as their own ever since.
Local costs
Now, Emilie reveals what it’s really like living in Uganda, located in East Africa, and just how cheap it really is.
Taking to social media, she revealed that rent was much cheaper than in the UK – but the costs of daily essentials were far more expensive.
She explained: “We do really struggle. So on the one hand, things like rent are a fraction of the cost of what it would be in the UK, but there are other things that just really add up quickly.”
While rent is a lot cheaper in Uganda – it comes with its own set of struggles.
Drinkable water is not available in the sink and the house can be infested with dangerous animals.
She claimed rent was cheap but other living costs were much pricier[/caption]
Emilie explained that she once found a poisonous snake waiting for her in the bedroom.
Internet bills are around £75 a month compared to the UK’s average price of £30 and she noted the speed was much worse in Uganda.
The mum also spent lots of money to get hold of clean, drinkable water for her family.
But her biggest bill that set the family back was sending her children to school.
Emilie pays £2,000 per term to send her four children to school, and it is not one she particularly likes.
“But our biggest expense is definitely school fees,” she explained. “And they’re not even at schools that I wish I could send them to.”
Moving house hacks
1. Declutter Before You Pack
Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load.
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Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move.
3. Use Quality Packing Materials
Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move.
4. Label Everything
Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized.
5. Pack a ‘First Day’ Box
Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day.
6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup
Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place.
7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items
Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury.
8. Colour-Code Your Boxes
Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home.
Employment
Emilie makes money in Uganda working as a tutor and making social media content. She revealed her partner Josh is currently out of work as the local wages are too low to contribute to the household.
She explained: “A very good salary, for working many days a week, is usually around £70 a month.”
“And it’s just not actually helpful for him to get a job if he’s getting paid that much money.
“That makes hardly any difference in the grand scheme of all our expenses.”
Social media users react
The TikTok video shared to her account @thelarterfamily went viral with over 200k views and 11k likes.
People were quick to share their thoughts in the comments section, which received 556 responses.
One person wrote: “I had no idea school was that expensive!”
Another commented: “In fairness, you’re right. I presumed Uganda was really cheap but this video has been really insightful thanks.”
“It’s so interesting seeing how you live so thanks for sharing,” penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “Uganda is not cheap. Only rent is cheap. I work in Switzerland, possibly the most expensive country in the world, but the amount of money I spend when I visit Uganda is incomprehensible.”
“Boil your water and cool it then put it in the fridge,” suggested a fifth.
Someone else added: “The school fees are extortionate (it should be free) I have no idea how the Ugandans afford it, I couldn’t even pay that amount on a UK wage.”
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