Kafayat’s Story
Kafayat shared her moving story of a complicated childbirth and double-hip surgery, all while caring for her children and staying in a family shelter. Brigida, one of LSA’s home visiting nurses, helped Kafayat and her family through this critical time. This is the story Kafayat shared at our 2018 annual gala.
My name is Kafayat Ibiyeye and I am from Nigeria. I came into the country in 2015, with my husband and two children. I gave birth to my little Princess on March 31st, 2016. That is when I came across the Little Sisters of the Assumption. I was referred to them from Harlem Hospital after delivery, because of problems with my hips and other health risks.
Two weeks after the birth of my daughter, a nurse from Little Sisters named Brigida paid us a visit. She came at the perfect time. My husband and I were new to this country and neither of us had jobs. I was very scared. I had no one to talk to apart from my husband, and no one to give us the right information about what to do.
Brigida came into our family to take care of me and our baby. But she found other ways to help us, and she never left any stone unturned. We had no food, clothing or baby supplies with us, but she provided it to us through the organization. She was always there for us, listening to us, talking to us through our biggest fears. She helped me feel “we can do it.”
When my daughter was about a year old I learned that I would need to have a double hip replacement. When I heard this, I was very scared and nervous because I had never had such a major surgery before. Brigida stood by me, motivated me, told me stories of people who have had successful surgeries. She also got books for me, referred me to YouTube to watch videos of transplant surgeries, and helped me feel more comfortable with the procedure.
With the glory of God the surgery was successful.
This organization has been a blessing to our family through Brigida. She even referred us to a job site where my husband found a job. Thank you. Thank you so much to the Little Sisters. Thank you also to Brigida. We will never forget the day we met you.
Photo above: Brigida (l) and Kafayat (r)