Conclusions

Abstract

These words are those of Anete, a 61-year-old Brazilian woman, who had returned to Brazil in 2008, having lived in London as an irregular migrant for three and a half years. I return to these words to conclude this book as they illustrate clearly some of the themes that have run throughout. Anete exclaimed these words whilst showing me her newly renovated and extended house, in a small town in Minas Gerais, which she had done up with the money she had saved while living and working in London. Indeed, Anete had embarked on her migratory journey for material reasons. But the journey had also been a profoundly spiritual one as she had become increasingly aware of the power of her faith and of her gratitude to God for His protection and guidance in London, and for allowing her to save enough money to fulfil her financially motivated aspirations. For Anete, religious faith had been a fundamental part of her everyday life in London where she had lived in constant fear of deportation. But it was equally important for her on her return to Brazil, as she sought to ‘re-adapt’ to the people and places ‘back home’ that had transformed in her absence, just as she herself had changed.

I wouldn’t have any of this without God. This was possible thanks to London, and to God.