!!!NNEKA’S MOM NEEDS HELP!!!

Hi everyone,

My name’s Nneka and my mom, Ify, and I are really in need of some help right now. For those who do not know me or my mom’s situation well, I’ll try my best to go over it briefly.

My mom came to the US from Nigeria in the 1980s and had my brother and I here. She initially came on a temporary visa, but since she had two young kids to take care of as a single mom, she chose to do what she thought was best for us; staying in the U.S. and ultimately, overstaying her initial visa. Her #1 goal has always been to give us a better life, inspite of what it might cost her. She was able to fly under the radar for 10 years, getting her nursing diploma and starting her career. However, in 2008 she was detained by ICE and deported to Nigeria in 2009. We lost a lot after her deportation: our house, all her savings, but most importantly, time.

I have seen my mom for a total of 6 weeks in the last 13 years. She’s had a bar from entering the country for 10 years and I am in the process of filing for her to be able to come back to the US now that I am more financially stable.

I’m reaching out because in the midst of starting this legal process, my mom has been dealing with some very serious health issues in Nigeria. She has been in and out of the hospital a number of times within the past few months and the medical bills are piling up. I’m doing my best to support her with the help of family, but as her necessary care becomes more complex, I’m finding it hard to meet the goals on my own. I’m working three nursing jobs at the moment and it’s still not enough. There is no health insurance in Nigeria and everything is fee for service: if my mom does not have money to pay for treatment, she will not receive treatment. She’s currently admitted to a hospital in Lagos that has more resources to try figuring out what is going on with her medically, but that also means more money.

These funds will go towards:

her medical care

covering any remaining necessities should she take a turn for the worst and I need to take time off of work and fly home to Nigeria (I am her primary financial support)

covering the legal fees to file for her immigration

I know it’s the holidays and I’m asking for a lot, but I’m running out of options. Ultimately, she will require chemo and/or major surgery. My mom gives everything she has to everyone she meets and I want her to feel that love and care in turn. I want to be able to get back some of the time we’ve missed being together.

I look forward to the day when I can give my mom the biggest hug and all my friends in the states can meet the firecracker that is, Ify Anyaoku, in person.

Please donate and share if you can. Many many thanks.