Marthina Okeke’s journey into unpaid servitude in New York City started in 1988 when a wealthy local Chief (male) in her village in remote area of eastern Nigeria proposed getting her a US visa to go to America and do baby-sitting 4 children for a fee of $300.00 a month.

A jobless, un-educated, poor widow struggling-in-vain with 2 little children; that was an offer Marthina Okeke could not resist. The wealthy Chief prepared the documents with which Marthina Okeke (aka, Stella Marthina Okereke) secured the US visa. Shortly after that, a Madam arrived from New York, repeated the offer (her job and her wages), including other promises and took her to the land of the brave and free, God’s own country, which is the United States of America.

But upon arrival in New York City in 1988, Marthina Okeke was made to baby-seat 8 children (5 biological, 3 foster), cleaned inside and outside of 4 bedroom mansion, cooked and cleaned for her traffickers/captors for 12 consecutive years, was not paid and none of the promises made to her in Nigeria was kept. Her captors seized her documents and did not renew her visa, allowing it to expire. She eventually left her captors in 2000, sought refuge in a local church and from there she ended up in the household of another immigrant family from her village, also living in New York City.

Marthina Okeke survived by doing babysitting for other Nigerian immigrants in New York and getting paid meager token amount. She also picks empty cans and bottles from the garbage on the street. Her story is well known within the Nigerian community, especially the Arondizuogu community in New York, New Jersey and other parts of United States, but no one cared to help her.

In July 2005, while in search for adjustment of her immigration status, a female freelance journalist who does not want to be identified led Marthina Okeke to Africans In America, Inc. (AIA), a nonprofit organization raising awareness on issues of African immigrants in United States. Through referral to pro-bono legal services groups, the Department of Health and Human Services certified her as a victim of trafficking and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security granted her a T visa in August 2006. Certified victims granted T visa enjoy the protection of US law, and that removes fear of deportation. They also get some social benefits, and freedom to seek monetary compensation from their traffickers and captors.

Now that her immigration status has been adjusted, Marthina Okeke wants to visit her home village for the first time since 1988. This is in preparation to finally going back home to settle. She has no money to make this possible, so, she is asking for support.

If you wish to meet Marthina Okeke to give your support in-person; and/or; to join in the effort to support her, please let us know to arrange a meeting; tel: 1-718-328-9170, fax: 1-718-991-3729, email:
info@aiainc.org

The address to mail your support, checks and money orders, is: