Oral history interview with Mr Mwalimbika Katsalira and Mrs Mercy Katsalira

00:00 Introductions.

01:25 Mr Katsalira came to England in 2004 as a single man.

01:59 Worked as a kitchen porter. Has been doing building work for the past 5 years.

03:00 Mrs Katsalira introduces herself.

00:15 Came to the UK in 2005 as a single lady.

03:46 Worked as a carer but eventually became a housewife.

04:20 The couple have four children.

05:20 Mr Katsalira talks about the memorable events in his life.

05:40 His whole family were ill back in the 1980s.

08:30 Memories of his father’s village and having to take the bus for the first time.

15:00 Offending the village elders.

20:30 The death of his uncle.

22:30 Lives with his uncle and studies.

26:00 His uncle’s death.

29:38 Memories of work after graduating.

32:30 Coming to the UK.

34:00 Different to his expectations.

37:10 Mrs Katsalira talks recalls her mother being very ill.

39:40 Relied on family due to poverty.

39:58 A lack of food. Her mother and sister had to walk for five hours to eat.

41:07 Recalls being told to work hard in the fields, before school.

42:07 Walked to school with no shoes.

43:02 Applies for a visa to come to the UK.

43:43 Being given a job.

44:22 Arrives in the UK in 2005. The experience was different to what she had expected.

46:35 Mr Katsalira explains his understanding of a wedding ceremony.

49:35 His understanding of a marriage.

51:36 Mrs Katsalira talks about what kind of wedding they had.

01:14:02 The couple discuss their feelings when they got married.

01:21:00 Mr Katsalira talks about married life and the advice he would pass on.

01:28:02 Mrs Katsalira offers advice and explains what it takes to make a marriage work.

01:33:00 They both talk about how they met and how their relationship developed.

01:50:00 The qualities and standards to look for in a husband/wife.

01:56:47 The best age to advise children about marriage.

02:10:34 The role of social media.

02:17:27 Opinions on inter-marriages.

02:27:39 Closing remarks.

02:42:09 End of recording.