₦airaland Forum

Thanks very much @shaqhead for your reply, your suggestion of multiples really makes sense. I've really been trying to think about how best to do this and touch as many people as possible. Please how do I contact Seun? (I'm not sure who Tehn is).

shaqhead:
@Genomi This will be a benevolent gesture on ur part and such an act of kindness doesnt go without its rewards which wl com in immeasurable measures. Concernin how u go about doin d giving whether in a 20k lumpsum or multiples as u mentioned, I guess u wl want to touch more people wt ur act of kindness so going wt d multiples wl do it for. I wl advice givin two people in a month among ur other acts of charity (evntho u cd evaluate each request on its merit). The hardest part to ds is givin in a faceless place like ds. How to evaluate d genuiness and urgency of d requests dt u myt get is anodr...hmm..here I wl advice dt if u rily serios get in touch wt Seun/Tehn. my 2cents

Hello house, please I need your help. Before I get into the details of my post, let me give a little background on myself.

I am a young Nigerian lady, been working in Lagos since 2008. I graduated from a top UK university with a 1st class in Computer Systems and Electronic Engineering in 2007. I have some work experience in the UK and have also been working as a Business / Systems Analyst in various companies since I moved back.

I have always tried to do my own bit to give back / help society and I particularly take interest in helping people / giving advice on how to build careers and recently business. I have decided now to give directly from my own pocket the sum of N20,000 a month to help someone / people in their journey to achieving their career / business goals. I currently work full time as a management consultant and will be taking from my salary to achieve this. I have decided to stop thinking and talking about contributing to Nigeria and actually start doing my own little bit. I would also like to help 1 or 2 people every month with job applications, CV writing and any other thing within my power (that I am knowledgeable about). One of my key strengths is process automation and the use of software to drive efficiency into the way businesses are run.

Entrepreneurship is really picking up in Nigeria (maybe due to the shortage of jobs) but I find that technology is not really being optimised in running these businesses - I'm really passionate about helping small businesses work better by using IT solutions - in fact this is at the heart of what I do at my 9-5 job.

I've been thinking that the money I give out can be used to maybe attend courses, training, seminars, purchase tools to help with business etc etc

The problem now is how should I go about this? I have the following concerns:
1. How do I put this information out there? I guess a thread like this is a good way to start

2. Can N20,000 really help anyone? I'm wondering if I should give N20,000 to 1 person a month or N10,000 each to 2 people or N5,000 to 4 people each month - please what do you think? I've noticed that there are some cheap courses (as low as N2,500) on sites like dealdey so I'm hoping this my small contribution can make a difference

3. How can I determine which application is genuine and which is not? I would really want the cash to be used for personal improvement geared towards career or Business growth

I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this. Thank you.

Hi @Gr8fulHeart I mean a rocking chair I myself can sit in to rock my baby, I actually have the fisher price toddler rocker already

Gr8fulHeart:
Do u mean a rocking chair 4u to sit in and rock baby or a rocking chair for ur baby?
If u mean a rocker for baby, u cn buy infant to todler rocker by fisherprice, its ard 12k, and u cn use til ur baby is 2-3yrs. I'm sure u cn gt it frm were dey sell baby tins.
@botylicious, just kip turning d ear-ring so dt it does nt gt stuck on on place, then if her body is hot because of d piercing giv her pcm. She wil b fyn.
Vikilafab,biko wic book una dey share? Me want too. Snd to lady7684@gmail.com. Tank u

Hello house,

Please does anyone know where I can buy a rocking chair (that I can sit in and rock my baby to sleep) in Lagos? Thank you.

Thanks everyone for all the love and prayers, God Bless you richly!!

Thanks lalavita

lalavita:
Wow! Congrats on the birth of your son. As you said, God's plan supercedes all our planning.

Hello house, long time no see or should I say chat ? Happy new year to everyone in the house.

I'm just here to share my experience since I learnt a whole lot from this forum and was able to plan and organise my US trip successfully.
I was scheduled to travel to Houston on Friday 5th December 2015 at 33weeks 6 days.

Lo and behold, as my mum, hubby and I made our way to Murtala Mohammed, I felt water everywhere. I told myself that it could not be possible that my waters had just broken on my way to catch my Delta flight. I cannot explain the feeling I felt, in short I went very blank. I called my gynae who told me to make a you-turn back to the hospital so that he could check and confirm what was going on.

We got to the hospital around 6.00pm and I was told that all my amniotic fluid had drained and infact they would have to carry out an emergency C-section. But before that, I had to be on steroids to help mature the baby's lungs properly as he was pre-term. It all happened soo quickly. My gynae went home that night as the operation had been scheduled for 9am the next day, Saturday the 6th.

Before we knew what was happening I went into active labour around 11.30pm, I thank God that there was an experienced midwife on ground who eventually took the delivery of my son naturally about 2.5hours later.

Long and short of the story my son was born right here in Lagos, Nigeria LOL. I just thank God he didn't need to be put into an incubator as he did well on his own. After all the planning for obodo yankee o, I guess this is a good example of the saying 'Man proposes.....'.

Everyone asked me if I was stressed out etc (maybe that was why my waters broke soo early) but honestly nothing out of the ordinary, I was ok though I had driven earlier that day.

Anyway I just though to share my experience, even though I had thought my next post on this thread would be about my Atl POE experience. All in all I thank God for everything.

@supamom There is a hotel inside the Dubai airport terminal - you can book a room and catch some hours of sleep without having to go through Dubai immigration. This is what I did when I was going to the US via Dubai 2 years ago.

supamom:
thanks for sharing. The itineries am seeing on their site is for 7hrs layover and they said they only book hotels wen its over 8hrs. Would have been great to rest in a hotel sha

@bj2012golf Wishing you the best and will be eagerly waiting to read your testimony.

Tvegas:
You are welcome man, may God grant you favor in your next interview.

@lizcom Thanks for the encouragement, we have set the ball rolling for Abuja, I will keep the house posted and come and share the testimony soon by God's Grace

lizcom25:
@GenoMI: please prepare oga for abuja and let him come and share the testimony. When my wife was going for hers an agent friend just told her to do it in abuja because abuja VOs are more reasonable and objective.

As in the more I think about it, the more silly it is to me. And yes, I am sure if he has just said we are going on vacation, she would have granted him the visa. Maybe she was just angry when she heard 'childbirth' and was just fishing for a reason to say no..

Dammiehar:
Seriously, I am very angry as well. Why would she deny the husband when the person giving birth already has a visa? I just don't understand. But like you said it's not their fault. Probably if he had said he is going on vacation she might have granted it...mcheww. I am pissed at all Nigerian leaders since independence. May God judge you all for putting us all in this situation.

@Tvegas The first line of this your post actually made me laugh out loud - thanks jare because na one kain face I don dey carry since morning.

And yes, it is condition that is making 'crayfish' bend - if our Country was the way it ought to be, this thread probably won't even exist. The current state of Nigeria is a shame.

Thanks for the encouragement, Abuja here we come and he will be interviewed by someone reasonable by God's Grace.

Tvegas:
The VO na Oniranu and Alainikanshe, she isnt funny at all. He will go to Abuja and get it by Gods grace,truth be told those ones are more calm and reasonable. Person talk true dem no go listen, so why wont people lie? Its not their fault, if our leaders haven't betrayed us they wont be seeing so many of us in the embassy. Especially that one that can type for Africa, heard she doesn't wanna hear childbirth stories these days,pretty soon they will be transferred, their shift is ending soon..........Really pissed.

@Dammiehar Thank you soo much, infact your post has just given me renewed zeal because he was also saying he will go to abuja, but me I just felt soo down. We got married in January this year. He went with all the documents today including Dr's correspondence. We will start the process ASAP and hopefully he will get a date in Abuja that is not too far.

These VO's can be soo funny sometimes, I'm really very angry.

Dammiehar:
She was just being unrealistic and mean. I got married in 2012 and up till now I have not done any change of name. I even renewed my passport using my maiden name as I don't have that time of going to Abuja. I got my UK visa renewed for 10 years along with that of my son, and my husband used our visa pages in his application and he was granted. I also got my US visa renewed with my mom, dad, and siblings after I got married, but we had to go for interview because of my son. No questions were asked. When my husband went as a first time applicant, the VO asked why he is not applying with his wife and he told her I already have my visa and she asked for my name which he told her. She just checked it on the computer and granted d application. She didn't ask for a single document. I would advise your husband to rebook for Abuja, and also go with your doctor's correspondence and explain why he wants to be there to hold your hands throughout the whole process and what this means to your family. I wish you all the best.

This post is actually from me, did not realise I was posting using my hubby's handle

johnnykoko:
Congrats @supamom, great to hear that you got it despite not waiting for 90 days.

My hubby was refused this morning in Lagos (she had refused 8 out of 10 applicants before him, meanwhile the male VO approved everyone he saw while my hubby was there).

He gave reason of going to be with his wife for the birth of our child (I already have my visa).

He said the interview was short and (he thought) went well until she asked to see a copy of my visa. She had only asked where he works, how long he has worked there and if we have traveled together before (we visited the UK together in May this year).

She asked why my passport is still in my maiden name, he replied that I am yet to go to Abuja to change it (of which I actually have no plans of even doing so).

He tried to show her our marriage certificate, my sworn affidavit for change of name stating all docs in my maiden name remain valid etc - all neatly clipped together - but she refused to even collect them much less look at them, and just denied under 214b.

I am soo annoyed because I feel she was not objective at all - after all it is not compulsory to change your name after marriage. That's exactly why there is a marriage certificate to prove the union. We are still thinking of what plan B will be, probably re-apply.

@Harjeehbaday Ok. Maybe they want to confirm that you paid all your bills when you had your baby. All the best.

@Harjeehbaday I wonder why they have called you in for an interview. Is your hubby also eligible for dropbox i.e. does he have a B1/B2 visa that he is also renewing? Or is he a fresh applicant?

Harjeehbaday:
Good afternoon NLs, I need your advice.

I got my B1/B2 US visa in Dec 2012 but didn't use it till Nov last year when I went to give birth in the US. I paid all my fees and have receipts for all payments.

My visa is expiring this dec and I have applied with my hubby and 2 year old son using the dropbox submission. My hubby received a call today that we should come for interview any Monday or Wednesday by 1200noon. We intend going on the 15th or 17th since we are not based in Lagos. We have submitted the confirmation form and dropbox form already at the DHL office.

What documents do we need to go along with?

Hi @anonymousmum, please I sent you a PM. Kindly check your inbox. Thanks.

Hi Mrs. Dan. I'm great. How have u been?

MrsDan:
Where is Tvegas? Am really curious.
Genomi.....how are u?

Check @foreverblessed's post on page 176

AyaSho:
Good Morning house,
Please can someone help me with the page that talked about Northside Hospital Atlanta or the name of mama.
Will so much appreciate it.
Thank you.

Hi @upgradedmum thanks soo much for ur post. I thank God for u for ur smooth journey and POE experience. Do keep us posted please on hospital etc. infact please look out for my PM in ur inbox.

upgradedmom:
Hello all, this is upgraded mum reporting live from Houston....

Yes o, it's important to just let them know all from the get go.

As per your rice, I can't stop laughing here. I'm sure you will find one of those African stores or some Americana rice that is similar , shebi they kuku call the one we have here 'American long grain'

MerryMom:
Lol @bloggerina. That groundnut is very important. If you see the way we packed them, you go think say na commercial quantity. Lol

@Genomi, thanks. They just wanted to be sure they are letting upright people into their country. I don't blame them. Na only my rice pain me pass cos I no know where to get Naija rice now. Lol.

For now, I'm chilling for Baby to show up. May God reward us with good news everyday.

Congrats MerryMom, we thank God for a smooth journey and not too terrible POE experience.

MerryMom:
So people, if you are coming through ATL. I wish you the very best

So why don't you want to consider Gwinnett? It's much cheaper...

treasuredkid:
it's way higher than my budget oh. Am even using Atlanta because I have free accommodation there.

Wow. This is a bit on the high side, unless of course it's within your budget. You may also want to ask them if they offer discounts to cash paying patients i.e. tell them you will not be using insurance.

treasuredkid:
I just received a reply from Southern Regional Hospital, please find it below:

We do not have OB packages including physician care, but the hospital cost is:

There is a package for the delivery of the newborn:
- Normal delivery $6,500
- C Section $10,000

Both packages do not include anesthesia charges or obstetrician charges (OB).

Thanks,
Sue Nemchik


Sue Nemchik, Director
Risk Management

Southern Regional Medical Center
11 Upper Riverdale Road SW
Riverdale, GA 30274
770-991-8394

Send an e-mail to pricequote@gwinnettmedicalcenter.org

I would also advise you google the hospital and check out their website for other basic information on their services.

As for Dr. Soyoola, send him an e-mail at olancomprehensive@gmail.com

I don't have the contact details for Dr. Oduro but I know it's somewhere on this thread so you can try doing a search

treasuredkid:
Sure it does but how do I contact the hospital?

Hi @treasuredkid, just saw your message. With regards to your questions:

1. Gwinnett Medical Centre in Lawrenceville, Atlanta - check out my posts on pages 100 and 150 for all the information I have regarding the Doctor and Hospital costs

2. I got my visa through a drop-box renewal and didn't attend an interview so I personally can't tell you much. But generally on this thread, people are advised to apply for the visa and declare intentions to the embassy, basically do not lie, tell them the truth and go prepared with all relevant docs including doctor / hospital correspondence showing costs etc. You also need to prove to the VO that you can afford the costs and prove that you have strong-ties back here in Nigeria so that they do not think you plan to run away and get 'stuck' in the US.

If you can read through the thread, you will find many posts from people who applied and attended the interview while pregnant and how they went about it. Also look through @Phema's posts for her famous 'burden of proof' that you can take to the embassy

Hope this helps.

treasuredkid:
Hello, I have been trying to send you a pm but it's not working. I'm 22 weeks gone and my EDD is in March 2015 and hubby just informed me that he wants me to deliver in US. Already made arrangement for to stay with a family in Atlanta.
Kindly advice me on
1. Hospital to use/Cost
2. How to apply for a visa because my tommy is already big
expecting your reply ma'am
thank you

Ahh, promo ticket POE na Atlanta oo

MerryMom:
LOL.

So VISA no dey guarantee entry again and to make it worse, awon promo tickets don help them direct their traffic to Houston for proper check. This people will not kill somebody with laughter.

Please, again, if you are yet to apply, declare your pregnancy. If you have applied before getting preggos, inform the embassy and get a response.

If we do everything right, God will sort the rest.

I quoted my passport number in the e-mail I sent them and I got the standard reply (both Lagos and Abuja)

MadameU:
I am not comfortable with the passport number they are asking for o. Let her write to Lagos embassy biko. I wrote to lAgos embassy and they didn't ask for my passport number

Without her passport number i believe updates may not be properly made on her visa, its a risk i think is wise to take especially in this time of POE returns and cruelty. God help us all.

Hmmmm na wa ooo!

Meeracle:
@Genomi my e mail and text to see my bal

So what they asked you to login to your internet banking portal? Or what exactly? Looked through your e-mails/texts? This is really terrible behavior from these people.

Meeracle:
Everything is just God...I came in with air France from abuja Paris And I was the only pregnant mama ...I met 4 pregnat mamas that landed since morning about to be sent back..the POE also read nairaland..I told them I knew the dr tru nairaland...they said where we talk about how to hide our pregnancy from them...they checked my phone too to see my account if I took a lone because me and hubby's money was much put together..

They looked through your phone??
Is that even legal? That does NOT sound right at all o. What are they looking for and what gives them the right to do that? Goodness gracious.

Olhar:
Hi all.....
Houston no easy o....i came in thru that poe on monday n had a very stressful n annoying experience.....
All pregnant women in my plane was sent for secondary inspection...I was delayed for 3 hrs
My experience
The only reason they stressed me was cos I was pregnant n didn't declare at my interview but I already used the visa for vacation purpose n now birthing.........anyway what saved me was cos I sent change of plans to Lagos embassy n I printed it with copies of my email correspondence with the doc n the hospital.......
My advice
Pls make ur phone clear of anything that can implicate u.....cos they check ur phones.....even if it's passworded they will ask for the pin n make sure u re bold n smart....cos they twist question......they ask them in different ways
They are so mean......I was with my mum n little daughter but they didn't even care.......
My daughter was hungry n fussy but they didn't even care......
Above all na prayer my people.....cos they insisted on sending me back....n they stamped my mum n daughter in for 6 months but not me until I convinced them n insisted but I mailed the embassy.....we layer became friends n he was even the one advising me on how to go about documents n all....after delivery....n he said I should make sure I bring all my receipts on my next trip

I'm actually even going through Atlanta but will definitely be armed with the e-mail correspondence with the embassy (I got my visa through drop-box) I can't shout biko

nefertitiram:
I heard about that Chicago POE wahala, they are very paranoid, but fear not! Just go with confidence or if you are so scared change your POE to Boston (another millionaire state) so they may not give issues there