₦airaland Forum

chloe7:
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate

uwc

chloe7:
no I didn't wash it, it's still in the same bag they put it for me in the market, I just loosened the bag opened it well and put it somewhere so it can air

okay that's good.

chloe7:
Thanks a lot dear, but they shredded it in oyingbo market for me o can I still spread it that way? Because i've actually opened the nylon and spread it somewhere in my kitchen.

oh I think so. But hope you didn't wash it?

chloe7:
Hi mama's please for those who took utazi leaves along with them to the U.S, I have some fresh ones I intend to travel with, how do I preserve it please because I got em fresh.

I saw my mom do this severally. Don't shred it, just spread the leaves on a tray, leave it to air dry(no sun). Keep it in a place that has shade, don't spread it under the sun. The sun dries it up excessively and causes it to darken. Dont wash it before airdrying. After a few days it will become crisp. You wash only when you want to use it. It doesn't loose the bitter taste. I just discarded some leftovers from omugwo of 5 years ago

[quote author=AlphaHandMaiden post=49002303][/quote]haha haha haha haha haha haha he he he he he he Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho. This pics though

happytbaby:
Happytbaby reporting live from my hotel bed in New York City.......POE report coming later. Lady G, Firsty and all the people that were laughing at my luggage vis a vis Southwest luggage limit, abeg come gimme ginger o..I am knackered but have to rearrange/weigh my luggage to meet the 50pounds limits......flight is early tommorow morning. [b]All my ata gigun, epo pupa, eja gbigbe etc [/b]ported with me oooo

congrats on the 1st half of your journey. God will make the 2nd half easier too. Set alarm and tell the reception to give you a wake up call o o....as per jetlag things. As for rearranging and taking local flights I no sabi oo. Awon frequent fliers will come and answer you. I've been to only JFK and DFW and both were direct flights from DXB.

Good news everywhere! I love success stories. Congratulations are in order. I rejoice with y'all. The same God that made the visa, PTA, POE easy will grant everyone of you easy delivery. Cheers people.

Nnystc:
Actually, in the journey of life, we are all are caught between all kinds of opinions and suggestions and all what not. And we all have within us an intrinsic knowledge of good and evil.

Whatever path/ action we choose to gravitate towards is actually a testament to who we really are!

Afterall, the person could have chosen to go with the countless testimonies here of how saying the truth got them the visa or the POE success... Rather than the advice of ONE friend who lied to get through.

WE MUST LEARN TO CHANGE OUR MINDSET, AND THE TIME IS NOW!!
Let's learn to condemn bad things. And let's not be afraid to condemn it as harshly as possible too!

On a side note, Don't forget that your American kids may choose to live in the US someday. If we raise them like this (They are watching us and learning, believe it or not!), we are setting them up for trouble when they finally arrive here in their grown up years!

supu!!! Nnystc for president!!

Pokompakam your moniker is funny. Congrats.

davsquared:
Hi everyone. A big thank you to all who have helped by sharing their knowledge /experience on this thread. Using the famous words " In the spirit of giving back", here is my story (sorry its long)

I have been more like a ghost reader.
Applied for a US visa wen we started trying for baby number 2. D plan was to get it before preg, go for vacation, den later use it wen bellle shows. A wk after application, i discovered dat e don already happen. Meanwhile interview date still dey 3wks away and my passport na virgin passport. Friends n well wishers told me nt to talk abt being preg, some blamed me for nt waiting, eventually someone told me abt dis thread days to d interview.
Reading from page 1 pt 1was very tedious . I tried d much i could and handed over d rest to God. Went there blindly without knowing abt budget sheet, docs correspondence or anytin. Only took reference letter, payslips and statement. I was just like if d truth no set me free, den its just as well. Had in tow my hyperactive 17 month old who displayed so much dat one of d pple manning d line at d visa office had to move us forward make we do quick dey go. Pple just dey look us cos dey saw hw he was acting. Frm shaking d standing fan, to putting his hand in d fan blades wen i tried carrying him, to running around and refusing to b held.
Nt sure i can fully remember each question bt it shld b sometin close to dis.

Vo: hello
Me: hi good day. Struggling to handover passports even as my son was dragging it wit me. Vo smiles and tells me to put him on d slab. I gladly did (dat pikin get weight)
Vo: where do u intend to travel to?
Me : Altlanta
Vo: what will u be going dere for.?
Me: i intend to go for an easter vacation
Vo: who will u be staying with
Me: my sis in law
Vo: dat is ur husband's sis?
Me: yes
Vo will ur husband be joining you
Me: no he wont. Work schedule wont permit
Vo: what do u do
Me: i work in... As a...
Vo: for how long now?
I ans
Vo:wat is ur pay pkg like?
I ans. She keeps typing
Vo : n ur husband, wat does he do?
Me: he works at... As a...
My lil oga dey dere dey tap d slab and glass
Vo: how many kids do u have?
Me: just dis one
Vo : do u intend to have more
Me: oh sure! (for my mind i was like " is dis woman kidding? Na naija we dey"
Vo: r u pregnant?
Me: yes i am. I am abt 8wks preg
Vo: (sounding shocked) oh really.
Me: (smiling) yes
Vo:Do u knw wen u will b due?
I Told her.
Vo: Alright. Though u will be travelling before u r due, if u do intend to give birth in the US ensure u show proof dat u can pay ur bills bla bla bla. I said ok
Vo: ur visas hav been approved. Collect dem.... I don tune off. Just thanking God in my mind while collecting the white paper. Said my thanks and floated out.

easy-peasy... straight to the point. Congrats and happy borning

@itissettled3 I rejoice with you. This testimony is sweet! God is Great! See how He floored the enemy *dancing * God that started this good work in you, is Faithful. He will see it to perfection in Jesus name Amen.

iyanughana:
if you like delete me. I will create another profile to enable me reply. [/b]I have your time[b]. what nonsense

why not put that excess time to good use by researching and helping out on this thread?

lobus:
It is with great joy i announce that my wife's Visa was approved today after we were denied last week. This forum has been of great help and it is only appropriate that i share our entire story.

DENIAL INTERVIEW- July 8
VO: Good morning Madam
Wife: Good morning
VO: Are you both applying together?
Wife: Yes we are. *Hands him our passports
VO: Why are you going to the US and where are you going?
Wife: Houston, Texas to have our baby
VO: What do you do for a living?
Wife: I am a managing partner in xxxx company owned by myself and my husband. We are into xxxxxxxx
VO: How much do you have budgeted for this trip
Wife: Hands him our budget sheet and doctors correspondence. *noticed that he was only looking at the budget sheet.
VO: Will you be staying in a hotel?
Wife: No. Will be staying with a friend
VO: *Typed for several minutes*. Sorry you are not eligible for the visa

The reason for denial was due to insufficient ties.

After several brainstorming and thinking, i was advised that my wife should apply alone but then the challenge was that the next available appointment was not until August 24 by which my wife would be past 35weeks. We had to apply for an expedited interview on July 9, attaching Doctor's report (Nigeria), Doctors's correspondence (US), Budget sheet and account statements as supporting documents to justify our request for an expedited interview. The expedited interview was granted on Monday July 11 and our interview scheduled for today Wednesday.

APPROVAL INTERVIEW: July 13
VO: Hello
Wife: Hi
VO: What is your reason for going to the US?
Wife: To have my baby
VO: Where is your final destination in the US?
Wife: Houston, Texas.
VO: What do you do for a living?
Wife: Presently i am the managing partner of a company owned by myself and my husband. We do xxxxx and have annual turnover in excess of Bleep
VO: So your husband works in the company also?
Wife: No, he is only a director. He works in xxxxx as xxxx
VO: Have you been in touch with any Hospital
Wife: Yes, both hospital and doctor. *Hands over the correspondence
VO: Any idea how much the trip would cost you?
Wife: Yes. Handed over the budget sheet.
VO: Would your husband be going with you?
Wife: No. He is indisposed at the moment, tied down with loads of work.
VO: Is this your first?
Wife: No. I was actually here last week. *Thought she meant if it was my first time applying for the Visa*
VO: I meant if this is your first baby. But what happened last week?
Wife: I applied with my husband but we were denied due to insufficient ties. I intend making the trip earlier and as a result my husband would not be coming with me because of his schedule
VO: Oh Okay but i meant if this is your first baby
Wife: Yes
VO: Congratulations your visa has been approved. Pick up your passport on xxxxx *Hands over the white paper

Thank you guys.

Houston bound mums for first week in August should please reach out.

#big smile#congrats!!!

Maggie0133:
Dear mums and dads, please when we eventually get to the US. let's drop some of our naija mentality. I guess most doctors that stopped taking Nigerian patients did not make that decision because some people defaulted in payment but some because of our strong head and stubbornness. Though they want to make money they would not do anything detrimental to their Liscence. If your feel strong and doctor and their equipment/gadgets states otherwise, please follow medical advice. It will only do u good and other Nigerian patients will come other you. Let's not rubbish the better health care we all 'sing' abt.

thank you for this post. Our sabi sabi too much. After travelling thousands of miles to obodo oyibo for [/b]better health care[b] I tire! The stories I hear I simply can't process them. God help us.

Virtuousdiva:
Your comment made me smile because wetin we dey see for the hand of hormonal mums sometimes no be here. I am all for hooking up with someone who is travelling same time as me ooo but please and please be careful with accomodation sharing.I no go fit talk all but some people have had experiences with kleptomaniac mums, mums who come with nothing and leech on others,abi those wey go borrow diaper till they leave america,even a mum who went round an extended stay asking for 50-100 dollars loan under the guise of blocked card to pay back when her hubby came and took from more than 10people and after BC came out,she left the city without anyone knowing.Please when you are in a communal setting,be on your guard always and also be financially prepared when planning for this American journey. [/b]Not all belle that glitters is gold.[b]

you see! Na wa o!

temyb:
@ all thank u soooo much for the advice. Looking at all options good&not going against the law. Gofund is a no go area for my husband as I don't even like the idea of putting up my babies pictures soliciting for funds. Before u know it all sort of things would come up. God bless u all for every single advice given here. My utmost joy is seeing my babies grow everyday and all improvement ad been awesome because God has been faithful.
Please all those who pmed me,I don't understand how this pm thing work as I have tried to reply but it's not going at all but my e-mail is temy4u@hotmail.com
The lady that asked for details of the hospital. The delivery for V.D is $4,200 while C.S is $5,800 and additional baby is $1200 but this is when there are no complications. For Dr u can wall into their physician or Dr office and ask for same day appointment or Google any Dr u would like but the fee range from $2000 to $3000

God is your strength. It is well. I believe you will come out of this By God's special grace. I thank God the twins are doing better with each passing day. Pls remember toTake care of yourself too.

Thinking. ..... maybe I'm wired way too differently or I think too much. I always flinch when I see total strangers asking for roommates, travel mates, shopping mates etc on a faceless forum. Dropping personal emails, phone numbers . Just airing my thoughts. my first ever in NYC, I didn't know anyone. I was excited. I made new and some lasting friends there. I explored the city. It was fun for me. I think we should be a Lil bit careful. Or....maybe I'm weird

Yipee! Congrats @kemo88 I've been waiting to hear about your alaska trip. Wish you God's favour and more grace as you continue your birthing journey lol [/b]buka stew .[b] enjoy your stay.[lquote author=Kemo88 post=46270335]Hi everyone,
On my onward journey to Alaska(since na me be the first person on this thread to go that route lol and Seattle POE experience has only been mentioned on this birthing thread once or twice lol) ... here's my POE experience

I flew emirates airline with my mum on Wednesday(7hrs to dubai, 14hrs to Seattle, 3hrs to Alaska.... shortest flight time i saw of all the airlines), got to Seattle and the line at immigration was so long and moved very slowly. I didn't book a wheelchair cos i wanted to form James bond lol. We stood for over 1hr30mins and at some point i left my mum on the line and had to find somewhere do rest my back. i was so scared, i kept praying in my mind, mum kept praying too

CBP: Hi, how's it doing?
me: great, how about yourself?
cbp: Can't complain... passports please
hands over passports to him
me: this is my mum
cbp: ok ok... so you are going to Alaska for fishing, hiking and camping?
me: no. i'm here to have my baby
cbp: * stretches over his screen to look at my belly
i moved back so he can see me
cbp: oh wow, i did not notice that. so, How pregnant are you?
me: 35weeks( praying in my mind that he shouldnt send me for secondary inspection)
cbp: why alaska though?
me: i was here earlier in the year and i saw and booked a doctor....
CBP: * he interrupted me and went on to say... mum can you scan your four finger
my mum scanned hers
cbp: switch with mum and scan your fingers
i scanned mine
cbp: husband coming in at any point on your journey?
me: no, there's so much going on at work and hes busy
cbp: too busy to take care of you?
me: Oh my, when you put it like that
cbp: * he just laughed for a while... how much do you have for this trip?
me: 19thousand USD
cbp: how much cash?
me: 8100 USD and the rest on our cards
cbp: what do you do?
me: i'm a .....
cbp: and husband?
me: hes a .....
cbp: how long do you think you will need to be here for?
me: 9weeks
cbp: well i am gonna go ahead and stamp you in until December in case you need to stay that long. But i'm sure you wouldn't want to be in Alaska in December
me: Alaska in December no
Cbp: *laughs again... you ladies have a safe trip. careful with the baby, lots of mosquitoes in Alaska
me: ok thanks.. have a good one
cbp: you too

We were sent to Agriculture, i was so sad and almost crying. My mum was telling me to keep calm...
The officer at agric asked me if i have food, i said " yeah, i have cereal, chips, doughnuts and the pear i was given on the plane( although i had cereal chips and doughnuts i was too scared to mention the other things in the bag like Egusi, pap etc, ogbono, milk, crayfish,one bowl of buka stew i booked from one mama put and carried in my luggage cos i craved it alot in naija etc)"

They scanned my bag, they were too busy focusing on the pear that they didnt search my main luggage. i opened my handbag and gave them the pear and just walked away so fast before they remember the main luggage( i was too scared) lol

As a FTM, I'm grateful to God, i'm grateful for this thread..... to think that my initial plan before i found this thread was to go as early as 5months, not declare being pregnant and stay till i put to bed, but this thread taught me that it's ok to be honest and it's not illegal to birth in the US. Y'all are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]

candyce:
All these annoying questions you've been asking like "is Dubai poe" "can i use soap to brush my teeth" makes me feel like using #madea stunts on you. Type a word one more time ama tie your hands and whip your a** two time Use Google my friend and ask the house relevant question.

choi!!!

LadyGuinivere:
I feel like sharing a story I heard a while ago... This strike is truly making me joobless

One sister married to one big oga decided to go to US. With her bobo on the side. So she and Bobo side filled married and all what noot and appeared together. But Big oga's God was not at a party that day, He was very much around working. Na so dem deny the Sister and her bobo side application.
A few months later, big Oga say make em and e wifey go US for vacay. Them reach embassy. The Vo ask am 'are you sure this is your wife?'
Ah ah, which levels na? This is my wife.
Na em the vo turn computer show am picture and details. Na em oga just waka leave the place. That was the end of solomon grandy.

What I took from the story is that Nigerians are yet to understand the concept of records and consequences to actions. We often think we can wish away our past misdeeds or miracles will wipe them off.

hahaha hahaha hahaha exhibit agba! The VO head dey dia

TheLeakyTribe:
Hope you are doing well.

While I would have preferred thag you do not reapply at this time, if you insist on reapplying I would suggest that you do the following and make your reapplication more about being honest and starting to establish trust again with the embassy than about wanting to obtain the B2 visa at all costs.

Please consider the following if you can.

1. When filling the form state as much as you can to clearly show that you intend to have a baby again in the US.

E.g in reason for refusal, tell the absolute truth about all that has transpired.

In contact information use your intended doctor etc. In length of stay estimate and state the actual time you truly intend to stay.

2. I would advise against bringing in this baby needs to see a pediatrician angle. Quite frankly it looks to me like you're trying to anchor on your baby being a citizen to get a visa. This is not favourable to someone who is trying to prove non-immigrant intent in a visa application.

3. On whether you should even travel with your child or state that you're doing so. Would it be easy for you to establish any other ties to Nigeria (considering you already said you're not married to the the baby daddy?) What other ties can you rely on?

4. Ensure all documentation is available for the appointment ie doctor and hospital appointment, your budget etc.

5. Please don't state anything about having a sudden medical emergency while on the annotated visa, just tell the whole truth and be prepared to face the consequences.

6. In the event of an unfavourable interview please accept it as the consequence of your mistakes and do not reapply until circumstances have truly changed preferably on another pregnancy.

7.in the event of a favourable interview please do not exceed the stated time you applied with, pay your bills and return once you're done.

Ensure that you use the doctor/hospital as stated in your application.

I sincerely wish you the best.

so detailed!

MomSomyy:
@ebonychic18 thank you so much. I will just reapply b2 and tell the truth that I am going for child birth and take all my correspondence (Even tho Dr and Hospital wants me to come in before I pay) but while filling the form the part that asks if you traveling with a companion do I state my kid there or not? Baby is a citizen. Thanks again.

of course state your child. Just try and be transparent this time around.

MomSomyy:
@favoredgal i really wasn't dishonest in the first place when I applied trust me. When I applied for that visa never planned to have the baby on the first trip, I was to attend the event come back after 2weeks then travel to birth. But when the visa came I saw I month single entry was surprised and just travelled hoping To get back to Nig immediately I finish the event and reapply saying I was going to birth my baby but luckily when I got to the ATL POE I was stamped in for 6months and since I was 6months+ I just stayed back to have the baby there legally and paid all my bills no outstanding. [/b]So I really don't know where i aired[b].

you erred by not sticking to what you came to do which was the conference. You should have gone back and reapplied. Even though it must have been stressful and not pocket friendly too. But then all this would've been avoided. Anyway I'm not a VO and so as not to sound as a messenger of doom. You can reapply siting childbirth and vacation as reason, get Dr correspondence, receipts etc. One more thing you mentioned that you are taking your other child to see his pediatrician? Really? The issue can't be handled by paediatricians here? You have to wait till you get to the US? Hmm...

Bisoye82:
Daddy and Mummy Is it wrong for YOUR child to get visa too?
Please do the needful jor.when she's not a spectator

I guess they want to use the baby as a tie to naija. It is well. I pray you get the visa and apply for your toddler too.

The picture in my head right now is you as a female magistrate, peering through the top of your rimless glasses, waving your ballpoint pen at the poster in a court. OMG ladyG

LadyGuinivere:
You dey oyo state and on a looong thing.
You had the intention to birth in the US.
U refused to research.
U misrepresented.
Now you want us to aid u in your misrepresentation.
What do u want to notify the embassy about? That u lied abi what? U actually are asking us whether u should further lie at the poe? Sorry ma. That is not the essence of this thread. We strive to help HONEST folks and not thoose that destroy our intergrity. U mustav had a plan when u decided to go down the rabbit hole. Well follow your plan.
Azzin! U actually want to be spoonfed with hospitals and costs? Ok ma. Please wait.
#nochillsforfraudesters

zeejam:
Hello dear Mums and Mums to be. please. i need information about birthing in wisconsin or chicago, the Costs, etc. Can't seem to find any information on chicago and wisconsin. I got my visa yesterday B1/B2, we only filled that we are going on vacation. The interviewer only ask us where we work n if we have travelled before. She didn't check doc and that was all. I intend going next month. Do I send doc to the embassy to declare my intention or I should just say am on vacation n to have my baby at the airport. Pls it's urgent help a sister.

Big thanks.

Exactly! to each his own. She didn't compromise her baby's health. She worked together with her gynae. Baby alive and bouncing, momma alive shikena.

MetroTee:
I don't get this. Why not allow your body progress naturally? I believe one should only be induced if you are past your due date or if baby is too big or distressed. Forcing your body to do what it's not ready for is not worth it IMO. These days it appears induction is now for convenience purposes :/

I'm happy you had a pleasant experience tho. I was one week past my due date and doctor suggested induction. Fortunately, I went into labour naturally just before induction started and I'm very pleased I chose to wait that extra week. To each his own

Praise God! God is faithful.

TheLeakyTribe:
It is my turn to share my testimony.

My LO was born yesterday 11th May 2016. Some of you would recall how my Dollars were stolen by my help before my trip. I was well prepared to follow it up and post everywhere about it but after my first doctors appointment here, the stolen money was irrelevant to me.

The doctor did a scan and said she found spots on my LO's heart that were indicative of either a hole in the heart or downs syndrome. I began to pray and believe God even though I was very shaken by the news.

Long story short, she arrived yesterday and is completely fine. She followed me straight from the OR to the postpartum recovery room. Join me praise the Lord. I'm one happy mumma.

Supermom! Congrats.

Xenadarl:
Congrats to all the new mums, we give thanks to God for His Mercies.
Had quite a day today.
left Delaware today via train to Washington after booking appointments online at both the US passport office (there's none in Delaware) and the Nigerian consulate.
Had posted my $77 money order to the address requested as instructed on the Nigerian immigration site and printed out my acknowledgement receipt a week ago and had been firing prayers for God's grace on the sojourn.
So me n the LO woke up @4am, LO well fed and wrapped placed in car seat and off we go to the train station. Left the amtrak station at Wilmington, Delaware at 6.30am arrived washington dc at 8.20am. Took the subway to Washington DC US passport office arrived about an hour l8r. Within anoda hour baby's documents had been processed and we were asked to come for collection the next day, pleaded with the lady who attended to me that I needed to collect it that day as I don't live in DC and she goes like, OMG, you came all the way from Delaware! Not a problem, happy to do that for you ma'am. Pls come back today by 2.30pm for your daughters' passport.
Off we head to the Nigerian Consulate which was 20mins away by Uber. Me-een, DC traffic no be here!
We arrive there abt 11.30am, processed our documents within 30mins. About an hour l8r we were called for capturing, they really took care of those with kids, their service was really good, surpassed my expectations by far!
After that we were asked to wait for collection but nor told how long we would have to wait. Naija style. Was beginning to worry cos the lady at the US passport office told me to make sure to get there b4 3pm as they close at that time and as I said b4 DC traffic ain't funny. But suprisingly shortly b4 2pm the passports we ready. You need to have seen me grinning ear to ear.
Off we head again catch anoda uber back to the US passport office and collect our blue passport.
Both passports collected same day b4 3pm, could only be God!
By then this breastfeeding mama was starving we walked 6mins to good ol' Mcdonalds had a good meal and even had time to ride on the DC tour bus and see the sights b4 heading home to Delaware.
When I told my host my plan she was doubtful weather I could accomplish all in one day even I was too but I trusted God and He saw me through. Wasn't easy o, as I was alone but He was faithful.

Oh my goodness character dey o. You gave me a good laugh this hot Saturday morning

Nnystc:

Even plus including Empire and Game of thrones and OITNB...

Dear Lady G,
I don't know you from H'adam, not to talk of H'eve. But since its Saturday morning, and I have free time (no office work pursuing someborry, and a few minutes till the kids wake up and pile into my peaceful room... and wake up my sleeping foetus!)...

I say make I hail you oh! The way you dey take time respond to almost all posts here na wah o! Even the questions that a patient person will see and go "Negodu!...mtchewww" , you will take time and respond, even if only to tell the enquirer to look well, or think it through!

I was even asking myself the other day when I saw your response on one question ... abi she get speech-to-text on her phone? Nor be the same finger-typing all of us dey use?