You may not know me, but believe me or not, you and I. we may have more in common than you think.
I didn’t grow up with many opportunities. I didn’t have a powerful laptop or fast Wi-Fi. In fact, I started this journey with just an old phone — a Pixel 3a — and even that felt like a miracle.
Working online felt like a dream that belonged to someone else. I didn’t know where to begin, I didn’t have anyone to guide me, and the little information I found online only made me more confused. I tried, failed, tried again, and sometimes fell into scams that wasted my time and energy.
But even in those hard days, something inside me refused to give up.
I had a vision — a desire to work with freedom, to live life on my own terms, and to find peace, not just money.
Looking back now, I realize it wasn’t just Wi-Fi or skills that kept me going — it was faith.
My faith in God gave me the strength to start small, to keep showing up, and to believe that my background didn’t define my future.
That’s why I’m writing this — to speak to people like you.
People who may not have everything, but who have a desire to build something meaningful.
People who believe they were created for more.
What Freedom Means in the Modern World
When most people hear the word “freedom,” they think of traveling the world, working from a beach, or living in a fancy apartment in the city. That’s nice — but freedom is deeper than that.
For me, freedom meant waking up in the morning without fear.
It meant not depending on someone else for every coin I needed.
It meant being able to work from home, stay close to my family, and still build something of my own.
In today’s world, especially in Africa, many of us grow up believing that a good job must come from the government, a bank, or moving to the city. We’re told that success means wearing a tie and sitting in an office.
But here’s the truth: real freedom is having control over your time, your work, and your peace of mind.
You don’t need to be rich to feel free.
You don’t need a passport to feel free.
What you need is opportunity, access, and courage.
And that’s where remote work comes in.
It doesn’t promise to make you a millionaire overnight — but it gives you a path to build something real, even if you start with almost nothing.
With just a phone, Wi-Fi (even slow one), and a willing heart, you can start creating work that fits your life — not the other way around.
You can take care of your family, serve God, and grow your income without leaving your village or changing who you are.
That’s the kind of freedom we’re talking about — the kind that lets you breathe again, think again, and dream again.
Wi-Fi: Your New Passport to Possibility
For many of us, Wi-Fi is not just internet. It’s opportunity.
It’s the bridge between where we are and where we want to be.
When I first started learning about remote work, I didn’t have strong internet. In fact, I had to walk to a small corner of our village — a little hill — just to catch a signal. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t. But I kept going.
Why? Because I realized something powerful:
Wi-Fi connects you to the world — and the world is full of work.
What Is Remote Work, Really?
Remote work just means you’re doing work for someone — usually online — without being in their office. That’s it.
You could be:
- Writing articles (like this one)
- Doing data entry or research
- Managing emails or social media
- Teaching English or tutoring kids
- Selling your designs, services, or even prayers and encouragement online
And here’s the good part: You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to start.
What You Actually Need to Begin
You don’t need to wait until you have the latest laptop or fastest fiber internet.
Start with:
- A smartphone or laptop (even an old one)
- Basic mobile internet (MTN, Airtel, or Wi-Fi at a café)
- A quiet space (even late at night)
- And most importantly — a learning spirit
I’ve seen people start with borrowed phones. I’ve seen others watch free YouTube videos and use Chatgbt to practice and grow. There’s no perfect condition — only the decision to begin.
The World is Hiring — Even If You Live in a Village
Right now, someone in the U.S., Canada, UK, or South Africa is looking for help — and they don’t care if you live in Kigali, Goma, Kampala, or a small hill in Karongi.
They care about:
- Can you follow instructions?
- Can you deliver work on time?
- Can you communicate clearly?
If the answer is yes — then your location is not your limitation.
Wi-Fi may feel small to you right now, but in the world we live in, it’s one of the most powerful tools you can hold.
Treat it like your passport — because it truly can take you anywhere.
Faith: The Strength Behind the Journey
Let me be honest with you: Wi-Fi helped me work, but faith kept me going.
There were nights when I stared at my screen, tired, confused, and ready to quit.
There were times when I worked hard and still earned nothing.
Sometimes the internet failed, clients didn’t reply, and doubts came like waves.
But in those quiet moments, I learned to pray instead of panic.
Faith Gave Me Focus
In a world full of noise, fast money schemes, and pressure to succeed, faith reminded me that my journey has its own timing.
Not every delay was denial — sometimes, it was God shaping my character before opening the next door.
I realized this wasn’t just about income — it was about impact.
Not just about earning, but also growing into the person I was created to be.
And even when things felt slow, I held on to verses like:
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” — Zechariah 4:10
Faith Helped Me Work With Purpose
When you work online, no one is watching. There’s no boss standing over you. That’s why many people get lost or give up.
But for me, I knew I wasn’t working alone.
I believed that God had placed something inside me — a gift, a calling — and remote work was just the platform.
It gave me the freedom to serve others, help my family, and grow while still staying true to my values.
Working With Peace
Maybe you’re also looking for something more than just money — you want peace.
You want to do work that matters, that allows you to sleep at night knowing you didn’t compromise who you are.
That’s what faith gives you. It teaches you to trust the process, to show up even when it’s hard, and to believe that God can use even your small steps for big things. So yes — Wi-Fi opened the door.
But faith helped me walk through it
Challenges of Remote Life (and How to Overcome Them)
Let me be real: working online isn’t always smooth.
Yes, remote work gives you freedom — but that freedom comes with its own set of challenges. And if no one tells you about them, you can easily feel discouraged or even quit too early.
So let me share the real struggles I faced — and how I learned to deal with them.
1. Unstable Internet
This is the most common problem, especially if you live far from the city.
You’re ready to work, but the Wi-Fi is slow… or gone.
What helped me:
- Working at night when the network is faster and less crowded
- Downloading needed files in advance
- Saving money to slowly upgrade to a better data bundle or router
- Having backup plans (like two SIM cards or hotspot from a friend)
2. Feeling Alone or Unsupported
Remote work can feel lonely — no coworkers, no office, just you and your screen.
You start doubting yourself: “Am I even doing this right?”
How I handled it:
- Finding online communities (WhatsApp groups, Facebook groups, YouTube mentors)
- Talking to God — seriously, prayer helped me feel less alone
- Reminding myself that I’m building something meaningful, even if no one sees it yet.
3. Distractions and Poor Time Management
At home, it’s easy to get distracted — noise, chores, social media, or just feeling lazy.
Solutions that worked for me:
- Setting small work goals (e.g., “write for 1 hour” instead of “write 1,000 words”)
- Using a notebook to plan my tasks each morning
- Creating a quiet routine — even just 2–3 focused hours per day can be powerful
4. Inconsistent Income
At first, money can be slow. You may work hard and only get $10 or nothing at all. That can shake your confidence.
How I stayed strong:
- Starting with small freelance jobs (on Fiverr, Facebook, even helping people locally)
- Being patient — the beginning is slow, but consistent work brings trust and more clients
- Saving small amounts when I earned, no matter how little
5. Spiritual Doubt or Pressure
Sometimes you feel like giving up. You pray, and nothing seems to change. You wonder, “Maybe I wasn’t meant for this?”
Here’s what I learned:
- Faith doesn’t remove the struggle — it gives you strength in the struggle
- God sees the seeds you plant in secret
- What you’re building now might bless someone in ways you can’t imagine yet
Remote life is not a shortcut — it’s a journey.
But when you learn to face the challenges with strategy and grace, you become stronger — not just in your skills, but in your soul.
Building a Life You Don’t Have to Escape From
We’ve all heard people say,
“I can’t wait for the weekend.”
“I need a break.”
“I just want to escape.”
But what if your everyday life didn’t feel like a prison you had to escape from?
What if your work gave you peace instead of pressure?
What if your time felt like a gift instead of a trap?
That’s what remote living — with faith at the center — can give you:
A life that you don’t need to run away from.
Start With Purpose, Not Just Money
Yes, money is important. We need it for food, family, and progress.
But if your only goal is money, you’ll always feel like it’s not enough.
Start with purpose:
- Who are you called to serve?
- What problem can you solve?
- What makes you feel useful, not just busy?
Even small jobs — data entry, writing, translation — can be done with love and excellence when you know why you’re doing it.
Create Balance: Work, Rest & Spiritual Life
Remote work gives you freedom, but you must learn how to manage that freedom.
Too much freedom without structure becomes chaos.
What helped me:
- Setting time to work, time to rest, and time with God
- Not working 24/7 — because burnout is real
- Keeping Sabbath, reading scripture, praying — not just working for money, but also feeding my soul
Remember: Productivity is not just about doing more — it’s about doing what matters.
Income and Impact — You Can Build Both
As you grow, you’ll realize this life isn’t just about surviving — it’s about building.
You can:
Grow your income by learning better skills, raising your rates, or offering new services
Grow your impact by sharing your story, encouraging others, or teaching what you’ve learned
The beauty of remote life is that it gives you space to evolve — to build a business, raise a family, serve your community, and live in peace.
So no, remote work is not just about “escaping the 9–5.”
It’s about designing a life that fits your values, your calling, and your peace.
And you don’t need a perfect life to start — just a willing heart, a quiet space, and a little bit of faith.
You Were Made for More
Freedom, Wi-Fi, and faith — these three together create a powerful foundation for a life designed on your terms.
You don’t need the newest gadgets or perfect conditions to start. What you need is a willing heart, a little courage, and trust in the journey.
Remember, every great story begins with a single step, and every small effort adds up to something amazing.
Your location, your past, or your current tools do not define your future. With faith as your guide and Wi-Fi as your gateway, the world is open to you.
So take that first step today. Dream boldly, work patiently, and trust that you were made for more.
Thank you may God bless you. Much love!!!!
I’m Branche De Jesus UMUTONI, founder of Remote Africa Life — a digital space where faith, resilience, and remote work meet. After turning challenges into opportunities, I now help others find courage to follow their calling and create a life they love. Join me on this journey of purpose and possibility.
