June 5, 2004

Dear

Your friendship and support over the last several months have meant more to me than I can ever express in words. My fight to stay here in my adopted home is the greatest challenge I have faced since I was forced to leave Nigeria over 20 years ago.

When I arrived, I had no friends or family in this country – everyone I loved was back in Nigeria. My parents were imprisoned when I was 13, leaving me to raise my four younger siblings. It was not an easy time for us, as we had just returned to Nigeria from Germany, where my father was a diplomat. We did not even know our local language. I watched as my uncles were executed on national television and stood by as soldiers threw us out of our home, scattering our possessions on the street. It took me four days to find my baby sister, who had wandered off in the confusion and been taken in by strangers. Survival in those days meant working hard to avoid unnecessary fights but fighting hard when necessary. Now, after years of helping others to rebuild their lives and beautifying our community, I find that it is time to fight again. I need your help to stay in this country.

I have an excellent lawyer named Frank Tse who used to work with the Asian Law Caucus. Although his rates are not high, my appeal for political asylum will cost about $5,000. In addition, I am unable to work while my case is pending. My rent is $800 per month and since I do not drink (I have been sober for seven years) or go out a lot, my monthly expenses are not more than $1,200. I managed to save a little money when I was working but the nonprofit world is not very lucrative and I have already gone through that.

Please write a check to the Law Offices of Frank Tse for $100, $250, $500 or whatever you can afford today. (You can also contribute by credit card – see below) If you like, I will pay you back some day. But I need your help right now or I will have to return to Nigeria where it still is not safe. The same general who executed my uncles and imprisoned my parents is back in power. According to Human Rights Watch and the Economist, over 1,000 people have been killed in my home state this year alone.

I am grateful to you and to my adopted city for what you have given me. God willing, we will win this fight and I will be able to continue serving this wonderful city.